Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov, who is on an official visit to Turkmenistan, met with residents of besieged Leningrad living in Ashgabat, reports spbdnevnik.ru.

The meeting with residents of besieged Leningrad - Galina Alekseevna Mamedova and Maria Dmitrievna Avanesova – was held in the format of a tea party at the Russian Embassy. The meeting was also attended by the head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Ashgabat, Ivan Volynkin.

Beglov spoke about how the city celebrated the 80th anniversary of the breaking of the blockade, and about plans to prepare for the 80th anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the Nazis. Veterans from different regions and countries will be invited to the commemorative events.

“In Russia and Turkmenistan, the memory of the war and the blockade is sacred. On behalf of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the exhibition of the Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad was expanded, and the Institute of the History of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad was created. At the initiative of veterans, monuments to the Siege Teacher and Siege Doctors were unveiled near the museum”, - the governor noted.

Beglov also added that he was going to take part in laying the foundation stone of the “Friendship” monument. The monument will be dedicated to Leningraders and residents of Turkmenistan, who received women and children evacuated from besieged Leningrad.