Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, outlined that the nation continues to rely heavily on technologies from foreign suppliers, including those from states that are not friendly to Russia. This assessment was shared during the session of the Science and Education Presidium, where he explained the ongoing fragility of domestic tech independence against outside influence.
Medvedev noted that although progress has been made, there remains a substantial dependence on foreign technologies. He highlighted that after countries declared technological sanctions, access to critical products became significantly harder or entirely blocked. In light of these developments, the principal objective is to secure science and technological capabilities in the most critical areas as quickly as possible, ensuring continuity in research and development across essential disciplines.
Against this backdrop, the vice chairman stressed the need for sustained efforts to substitute foreign equipment with domestic counterparts. He called for a broad policy debate on additional measures necessary to achieve technological self-sufficiency. According to him, solutions must address funding, regulatory reforms, and accountability for achieving targeted outcomes, ensuring that strategic goals in science and industry stay on track despite external pressures.
Meanwhile, at a summit in Japan, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, John Kirby, remarked that the G7 nations should intensify their actions to isolate Russia and curb its strategic capabilities. The remarks underscore a wider international context in which Western partners seek to constrain Russia while Moscow pursues measures to strengthen its internal innovation ecosystem and safeguard critical research domains. The interplay between international sanctions and domestic capability development remains central to assessments of Russia’s long-term strategic posture and its ability to sustain scientific momentum in a challenging geopolitical environment.
Analysts note that the Russian leadership appears to be prioritizing the acceleration of indigenous technologies and the cultivation of domestic suppliers. The aim is to reduce exposure to external shocks and to build a more autonomous research infrastructure. Observers describe ongoing efforts to fund priority projects, streamline regulatory processes, and assign clear responsibility for meeting predefined milestones. In practice, this translates to targeted investments, accelerated procurement of national substitutes, and enhanced collaboration between universities, research institutes, and industry partners. Ongoing policy discussions are expected to yield concrete steps designed to strengthen Russia’s capacity to conduct high-stakes research and to maintain strategic competitiveness in science and engineering disciplines.
These developments come amid a broader global debate about technology sovereignty and the resilience of national innovation systems. Proponents argue that diversifying supply chains, fostering domestic talent, and expanding national laboratories are essential to weathering sanctions and market volatility. Critics, however, caution that rapid decoupling could lead to efficiency losses and higher costs. The immediate priority, as outlined by Medvedev, is to secure critical research prerogatives and to ensure that the most essential scientific capacities remain operational under pressure. The discussion continues to evolve as policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders weigh the trade-offs between openness and resilience, aiming to sustain progress in science, education, and technology for the benefit of the country’s long-term development. (Attribution: Reuters)