Putin steps down as president today

Vladimir Putin, who is seen by many to have striven to make Russia great again during his eight years as president, will step down today to be replaced by his successor Dmitry Medvedev.

Putin hosted a farewell meeting with government and Kremlin officials on Monday, and urged them to continue his policies.

"This is the last time I will chair the government meeting in this capacity. So I wish to thank you for the joint work of the past eight years rather than discuss current issues," the Interfax news agency quoted Putin as saying at a regular Monday meeting with senior officials.