SOCHI, October 21. /TASS/. An idea that a nation must have within itself a driving mechanism for the development as well as the will for the development and self-esteem is reasonable, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a session of the Valdai International Discussion Club on Thursday.

"Many countries, including in North America, call present-day Western Europe as an ‘ageing one’ and this appellation is in use," Putin said.

"It is hard to say whether it is right or not, but the idea that a nation within itself must have a driving mechanism for the development, the will for the development and self-esteem, is reasonable in my opinion," he stated.

Putin also noted that Russia is witnessing today how some countries are being on the rise, despite numerous unsolved domestic issues.