Vladimir Putin appeared emotional as a cellist played at an Armistice Day event in Paris.
The Russian president appeared to wipe a tear from his eye and gulped as the cameras panned towards him when the music played at the Arc de Tripomphe in France on Sunday.
As light hit his face, a tear appeared to glisten in his eyelid as award-winning musician Yo-Yo Ma performed.
President Putin was sat near to France’s Emmanuel Macron and the US president Donald Trump.
He was the last of around 70 world leaders to arrive at the service in Paris, having travelled alone for security reasons.
Mr Putin and the other leaders were a few minutes behind schedule, missing the 11am moment which was the exact time the armistice was signed.
He and Mr Trump greeted each other and shook hands upon his arrival.
In what proved to be an emotive event, French president Mr Macron explained the importance of remembering the lessons of World War One.
He said: "The lessons of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten. It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential."
Fighter jets had passed overhead as the leaders walked, huddled under umbrellas, to the Arc De Triomphe.
After the event, some of the leaders were scheduled to take part in a peace forum pushed by host Mr Macron.
Mr Putin is expected to meet with Mr Macron for discussions.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and German chancellor Angela Merkel also attended the congregation in Paris.
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Harking back to Mr Trump and Mr Putin's exchange, the pair are set to meet in the near future, according to Russian news agencies.
Mr Putin has reportedly said he could potentially meet with the US president at the G20 summit in Argentina.
It is reported that Moscow wants to restore a full-scale dialogue with the United States about the landmark Cold War-era missile treaty.