Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that the state must create a more attractive working environment to prevent a further drain of young talent.
Russia's failure to modernize and fight inherent corruption have led many Russian graduates to seek work abroad, significantly hampering Russia's already poor demographic situation.
"The state must work hard to provide our young people, young businessmen and innovators with a favorable environment," Medvedev said in a live interview with the liberal Dozhd TV channel.
Medvedev, who portrays himself as a young and technologically savvy leader, has made modernizing Russia's economic environment and boosting the hi-tech sector a key aim.
He said the authorities would not use "Soviet methods" to try to retain young talent by imposing restrictions on travel.
'There is nothing wrong with thinking about leaving - people do that all over the world," Medvedev said. "The question is why someone wants to leave and do they plan to come back - that's where our problems lie."
MOSCOW, April 25 (RIA Novosti)
