Nature. Русская Рулетка

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 Some Western-orientated Russian scientists acknowledge that a number of the proposed changes could be beneficial. In effect, the reform would create a flexible learned body similar to scientific academies in the United States and much of Europe, whose main duties are to provide the government with scientific advice on questions of societal relevance. The task of organizing and funding the research itself would be passed on to a new agency — similar to Germany’s Max Planck Society — that, if properly run, could provide basic science in Russia with much-needed vision and impetus.

But such sweeping changes require more time and preparation than Putin seems willing to grant.