Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the 2025 Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists in the Kremlin’s St Catherine Hall on Feb. 5, according to a report on the Kremlin website He used the occasion to not only congratulate the winners, but also to discuss the role of young scientists in shaping the future for Russia and mankind. Excerpts follow:
“All of you have chosen an interesting, honorable, and, I would say, thrilling vocation—the pursuit of progress. It is in this passion, this tireless quest for new knowledge, that the potential of great discoveries lies. To a large extent, such discoveries determine the future of our country, its development, and prosperity. I wish you all success in this noble pursuit.”
Russia has a “strong scientific tradition,” Putin noted. “They have laid a solid foundation upon which modern research projects are based, ensuring the continuity of scientific research, the training and development of new generations of researchers and scientists. This continuity is crucial for strengthening our national scientific potential. This continuing dialogue between our leading researchers and their pupils is producing new, forward-thinking ideas and scientific fields, and promoting responsibility for the country, a feeling of shared destiny, and a striving to contribute to the fulfilment of vital tasks…
“All our winners have the spirit of trailblazers. You are not afraid of questions to which there are, as yet, no answers. You seek these answers and find them; you look for and find solutions and are focused on achieving goals on a national and global scale.”
Putin then detailed some of the areas of research of this year’s winners:
