Measures taken to boost birth rates in Russia not enough - Putin

MOSCOW. Dec 8 (Interfax) - The demographic measures that have already been taken in Russia are not enough, and negative tendencies toward lower birth rates persist in the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Obviously, the measures that have already been taken in demographic development are insufficient. Unfortunately, negative tendencies persist, birth rates continue to decline," Putin said at a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects.

There are objective reasons for this development of the situation, including worldwide demographic trends, as well as the current overlapping of Russia's negative demographic waves from the middle and the end of the 20th century, he said.

"Certainly, external challenges are also affecting demography. At the same time, I'd like to stress it once again, our long-term historical task is to safeguard and enlarge our people, and, despite the current situation, despite the objective difficulties, we must stay true to this goal," Putin said.