Fans of the Russian and Slovakian national hockey teams gathered outside the Hilton Hotel in Bratislava – the site of the ceremony to announce the host of the 2016 World Hockey Championships – to greet Prime Minister Putin as he exited.
When the prime minister came out of the hotel, a group of about 20 fans gathered around him and asked him to sign flags, scarfs, tickets and shirts. Mr Putin autographed them all.
"Cheer hard for Russia to win the championships!" the prime minister said.
Mr Putin had just concluded a joint news conference with Rene Fasel, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, during which Mr Fasel gave the prime minister a jersey with the number 16 and his last name on the back.