Meeting with Head of the Kurchatov Institute Mikhail Kovalchuk

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Kovalchuk, Kurchatnik (the Kurchatov Institute) is no longer just an institute, but rather an agglomeration of various institutions, which engage in a variety of activities encompassing almost all areas of research. What do you think is your top priority after all?

Head of the Kurchatov Institute Mikhail Kovalchuk: You know, Mr President, you laid down our priority in your Executive Orders. Six Presidential Executive Orders underlie the Kurchatov Institute's operations.

The first one concerns developing nature-like technologies. The second one - a follow-up to nature-like technologies - is a genetic and behavioural programme and a programme for creating unparalleled mega-installations across the country. We will own the world's top research infrastructure within the next five to eight years.

Next, the agricultural programme, in which we deal with the research and genetic part. On top of it, we operate as the lead research organisation, under your Executive Order as well, for expanding the nuclear complex.

Plus microelectronics, which is a separate topic, and I will say a few words about it. We are working on breakthrough neuromorphic microelectronics.

We own nearly 100 percent of the research network infrastructure, including the entire supercomputer sector, with all existing 20,000 kilometres of networks. We are also working on a quantum network which is located within this compound as well.

We are working on diverse projects in accordance with your instruction, because the Kurchatov Institute includes about 30 institutes. This is a potent interdisciplinary centre.

Plus fundamental physics, especially now that collaboration with CERN and other Western projects has come to an end. Huge numbers of researchers, most of them the Kurchatov Institute employees, have come back meaning that restarting fundamental research is a key priority as well. In this sense, we are on the brink of a technological breakthrough.

Plus our traditional research in the nuclear energy. We have built new nuclear power plants, such as a nuclear battery for Arctic exploration, which is advancing quickly.

To be continued.