Russia is the world's largest country and has 11 time zones, stretching from the Western exclave of Kaliningrad to its eastern tip in Chukotka.

Medvedev stressed Thursday in his state-of the-nation address that first it is necessary to objectively assess the economic advantages of such a move.

Medvedev didn't say how extensive any cut would be, but Russian experts have proposed designating four time zones.

Such a move would see the current seven-hour difference between Moscow and the eastern port of Vladivostok _ practically on opposite sides of the globe _ slashed to four hours.