Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is in Paris for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and to open a major Russian exhibition.
Putin arrived in the French capital in the evening of June 10 and held talks with Prime Minister Francois Fillon.
Putin's talks with the French leadership were expected to focus on cooperation in the energy, space and aviation sectors, as well as efforts by Moscow to acquire a French Mistral-class assault ship containing sophisticated technology.
If agreed, the warship would mark the first sale of advanced military hardware by a NATO member to Russia.
In addition to the French president and prime minister, Putin is expected to meet with former president Jacques Chirac and the head of the French oil giant, Total.
Putin is also scheduled to inaugurate a five-day Russian exhibit at the Grand Palais in Paris as part of the Year Of Russia In France and the Year Of France In Russia cultural festival.
Ahead of Putin's visit, the human rights group Amnesty International has called on French leaders to pressure Putin on the killings in Russia of journalists who have been critical of Russian authorities, as well as racist crimes and torture in Russia.
compiled from agency reports