RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN INSPECTS GUARD OF HONOR ON HIS ARRIVAL IN SLATINA, 2001-06-17 (photo)

Russian soldiers, part of the NATO-led Kosovo peacekeeping force, salute Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) on his arrival to Slatina airport on the outskirts of Pristina June 17, 2001. Vladimir Putin, the first Kremlin leader to visit post-communist Yugoslavia, said the country needed help from the entire international community and that Russians, who share Orthodox Slav roots with the Serbs, were ready to play a part. The Russian and Yugoslav presidents said on Sunday Kosovo was the main source of instability in the Balkans and urged world leaders to ensure Albanian "terrorists" lay down their guns. PEK/AA