"The ideological vacuum that emerged after the collapse of Communist ideology [in Russia] is being filled in with extremist tendencies, and they will not be defeated unless we take active measures to replace them with common human values," Vladimir Putin said, addressing members of the State Council.
Putin said that Russia has been "getting back to its feet," and that the country's ideology should encourage the revival of patriotism and national pride based on national unity and cultural diversity.
"Feelings of national pride and national identity have been revived in Russian people, and we should encourage these feelings," the president said.
The Russian leader called for greater support of the country's national culture and proposed greater financial assistance for cultural institutions in rural areas.
He said rural clubs are especially desperate for financial support, adding that there are more than 50,000 in the country, but that only 50% receive support.
"So far, the State's efforts to uphold the nation's heritage do not measure up to its importance for society," Vladimir Putin said. "We should revise federal programs Russia's Culture and Social Development of Rural Areas, and determine the mechanisms to increase co-financing of culture clubs."
Putin also said the government should give higher priority to the development of Russian language and culture, adding that 2007 will be "The Year of the Russian language."
He said Russian is the mother tongue of 288 million people throughout the world.
"Russian is a reliable guarantee of the successful development of humanitarian and economic relations with other countries, above all with CIS States," he said.
