MOSCOW. Nov 28 (Interfax) - A senior Kremlin aide on Friday argued that Russia's main achievement since the start of the 21st century was "the emergence and development of a mass-scale, quite extensive middle class."

"And not just the emergence and development but also gaining a foothold on the historical stage. The middle class has in effect acquired a position of social hegemony and political power," Vladislav Surkov, first deputy chief of the presidential staff, told a conference. "Whereas the 80s were the time of the intelligentsia and the 90s the decade of the oligarchs, the (initial years of the 21st century) can be considered a middle class epoch," he said.

"For this reason, it should be the main task of the state in the period of recession to preserve the middle class. To protect the middle class from the wave of devastation and confusion coming from the West," Surkov said.

"The economic slowdown means that the state must make resolute moves to help 'those in the middle,'" he said. "To help the middle class survive next year without any serious damage. To sustain the level of employment and consumption."

"The middle class must be the number one concern today. Because the Russian state is its own state. And Russian democracy is its own. And they share the same future," Surkov said.

"They need to be taken care of. Russia is their country. (President Dmitry) Medvedev and (Prime Minister Vladimir) Putin are their leaders. And they will not let them go under," Surkov said.