Medvedev speech: Your reaction

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for profound economic reform in his state of the nation address.

He said the Soviet model no longer worked and the country's survival depended on rapid modernisation based on democratic institutions.

Here readers in Russia react to the proposals put forward in the speech.

THOSE IMPRESSED BY THE SPEECH

In general, I'm pleased with the speech. I like the fact that Mr Medvedev has asked what people think before delivering his address. I also like his willingness to change the country. I like that he loves Russia. That's the president I want. That's the president I'll vote for in 2012.
Alexander Lemonov, Moscow, Russia

From BBCRussian.com: I am not infatuated with the authorities and I believe this is quite normal. I live in Russia and have the right to criticise them. But I like what Medvedev said. He came forward and said that things are bad and nobody is to blame but ourselves and it is us who have to get the job done. Under Putin, life became better than under Yeltsin. I hope that under Medvedev life will be even better than under Putin. If he achieves this, I won't criticise the authorities.
'10ra', Russia

From BBCRussian.com: Medvedev's address was honest, clever, very much to the point and constructive. It was also patriotic, just as a president's address should be. By the way, this tradition was started by Putin, when he was not yet president, but a premier under Yeltsin.
Comrade Major, Russia

I welcome Mr Medvedev's proposed reforms and hope it will trim some of the fat from the Russian energy giants and promote a more open and competitive work environment. I just fear that such changes will be a slow process.
Nick Spence, Irkutsk, Russian Federation

I think that President Medvedev is absolutely right that the modern developed world is based on the general principles of democracy and human rights. After all, the post-industrial model of the modern economy was born in democracy and human rights. Democracy is a starting point for economic reforms.
Dmitry Malyshev, Moscow, Russia

This is what we need in Russia. Many people here are still thinking about the old. We need to modernise as much as other countries. We really appreciate this speech from the president.
Ratshaayini Ratnakumar, Tver, Russia

A very good summary of the situation and hopefully a new way forward.
Neil Clarkson, Moscow, Russia

For the first time in recent years the president of Russian Federation said true words about Russian economy - that it is weak and based mainly on oil and gas exports.
Konstantin, Moscow Russia

...AND THOSE WHO WERE NOT

This ceased to be interesting or even funny a long time ago. The president is drawing us a shiny picture of a hi-tech future without mentioning once that the ruling elite is the biggest obstacle to any free development. Corruption has never been a friend of open technologies or fair competition. Corrupt Russian officials are not interested in investing in the future. They need to skim off whatever profits they can. It's all hot air.
Oleg, Moscow, Russia

There has been a big gap between deeds and words in the Russian government. I don't believe that reforms are possible as corruption is spread over the whole country. I believe that Mr Medvedev will have to demonstrate his independence in action and decision-making from Mr Putin. But I wonder if that is possible.
Svetlana, Moscow, Russia

From BBCRussian.com: The crisis in Russia started back in 1985, when Gorbachev launched perestroika, and has continued until today. Unfortunately I have not seen any changes for the better. The authorities are continuing the policy of destroying industry and agriculture and defence sectors. It has been all talk and little action.
Vitekk, Izhevsk, Russia

From BBCRussian.com: First of all we need a different president. Lawyers are not suitable for the role of presidents in our times. We need a businessman who can construct adequate strategies and lead everyone forward. Our current president does not seem to have a strategy. Why is it only now that he has finally acknowledged that the crisis is deeper in Russia than in many other countries?
Vruslan, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

From BBCRussian.com: To hell with the "status" and the "basis"! Even "developing democracy" can wait! First and foremost why don't they cut the number of state officials by 10? Then modernisation will happen automatically.
Selyanin, Tarusa, Russia

From BBCRussian.com: We have heard plenty of lofty words - about reviving Russia's automobile industry, about the aviation industry rising, about supercomputers, nano-technologies and fighting corruption. But what has actually been done? Andrei, Russia

Another farce again to keep people pleased and make us think we're getting real freedom. It was like that in 1999, it's still like that today. The KGB pantheon in power really knows how to deceive and make us believe them. Well, I guess it's actually not that bad, just a shame the voice of the nation almost never reaches the government.
Alexander Yushkov, St Petersburg, Russia

To me it's just words that we are all used to in Russia. The president's administration considers it to be necessary to feed citizens with speeches like this every year. I suggest waiting for the direct measures taken by the government but I'm not really sure that this modernisation is going to enhance our living.
Max, Moscow, Russia

It's just another speech with a lot of stock phrases. No action usually follows. I don't think anybody here takes it seriously really.
Dmitry, Moscow, Russia

He is in office 18 months and nothing has changed. He has only words and no actions.
Art, Moscow, Russia

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
BBCRussian.com
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites