Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that his country "must fully embrace" technological development if it wants to be stronger, as that is "not just a wish," but a "requirement in the world of today and tomorrow."
In an address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin insisted the Russian economy should be more technological and that by 2023, the aggregate spending on research and development (R&D) should account for at least 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP).