ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA ? President Vladimir Putin turned imperial Russia’s window on the West into a doorstep for world leaders Friday, welcoming heads of state from three continents to his hometown of St. Petersburg during its tricentennial celebrations.

Putin, who wants to promote Russia as a cornerstone of the international community and restore St. Petersburg’s glory after decades of Soviet-era decline, also championed the city and its founder Peter the Great as he inaugurated a square renamed after the czar.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Romano Prodi, president of the European Union, enjoy an event at St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg. World leaders gathered Friday in the Russian city -- Putin's hometown -- to celebrate its tricentennial.

The Russian leader, a judo enthusiast, started three days of high-level meetings by holding talks and visiting a martial arts school with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Meanwhile, world leaders poured into the city, which was known in the Soviet era as Leningrad.

During the weekend, Putin will play host to a summit with leaders of all but one of the 15 current European Union member states and 10 EU candidate states. He will also meet with President Bush.