President Vladimir Putin pledged to build relations with the outside world ”forged by the lessons of the past” as he hosted US president George Bush and 50 other world leaders for celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Mr Putin sat next to Mr Bush for much of the event, heavy with symbols of Russia’s Soviet past, on Moscow’s Red Square. The two leaders appeared relaxed despite trading jibes before Mr Bush’s arrival on Sunday over Russia’s commitment to democracy and its complex post-war legacy, and US support for democracy movements in Russia’s near neighbours.