![A meeting with members of the Presidium of Russian Academy of Sciences.](http://static.kremlin.ru/media/events/photos/big/VUOaHNy8Zv0UXOp0BXEbWCzOWvkYKFDA.jpeg)
President Putin said recent achievements of Russian scientists had been truly unique, despite the economic problems the Academy was facing along with the rest of the country. However, Mr Putin criticised certain aspects of the Academy’s work, for example for inefficient use of fixed assets. The President suggested they should embark on the challenging task of modernising the Academy.
The President talked about the need to formally document the Academy’s legal status as well as to draft legislation for the protection of intellectual property, especially in the sphere of technological innovations. The President instructed the Government to render assistance to the Academy, and instructed the Ministry of Finance to find ways to provide young researchers with housing.