“Forum of Actions”: Putin says that Russia must become leader in knowledge, intellect, and culture

Vladimir Putin has told a forum of his supporters that he sees the main objectives of his new presidential program as maintaining Russia’s freedom, social stability and leading place among world nations. Speaking at the Tuesday session of the “Forum of Actions” organized by the All-Russian Popular Front movement incumbent president Vladimir Putin said that Russia had to fulfill the principal historical tasks of the moment, such as population growth, the creation of a new economy and development of its the Arctic and the Far East regions. Putin also emphasized the importance of keeping up with the ongoing revolution in production technologies, healthcare, and education. “Shielding ourselves from these international tendencies or trying to keep up with someone is definitely not our choice, it cannot be our choice”, he said, adding that Russia had all opportunities to restore the spheres of an economy where it used to be a world leader.