Russian President Vladimir Putin referenced the Torah in arguing Thursday that science and technology cannot fully replace traditional values, according to news reports.
"All that you’ve mentioned remain the eternal main values," Putin said in response to a reporter's question about the role of modern technology in Russian society, RT News reports.
"It's not a coincidence that the Torah says that giving up the territories is a great sin," Putin said at the Valdai International Discussion Club's annual meeting in Sochi.
"The territories, the natural treasures and the people remain the most important factors," Putin said.
However, technology's influence is increasing in Moscow society, he said.
"But changes are coming at such a pace that it's obvious," Putin cautioned. "The science and technology factor becomes decisive in the military and foreign policy spheres.
"And these changes have an irreversible nature."
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