MOSCOW, February 21. /TASS/. Russia is definitely the leader in the Arctic Region and many countries want to cooperate with it in icebreakers construction, President Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the Future Technologies Forum.

"The Arctic Region - we are the unconditional leader there. Many countries want now to cooperate with us in respect of production of nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet but this is, certainly, impossible without modern materials," the head of state said.

"The engine technology. There are certainly things to do there, much still has to be done in many areas," Putin noted. Foreign counterparts outpaced Russia but it is a good challenge, the Russian leader added.