Russia's communications minister tweeted that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev persuaded the social media giant's founder Monday to abandon plans to lure away Russian programmers and instead open a research center in Moscow. 

Zuckerberg, who ditched his trademark hoodie and jeans for a suit and tie for his meeting with Medvedev, is visiting Russia as part of a world tour of programming contests to identify new talent. 

Russian Web companies often command larger shares of the domestic market than U.S. counterparts. 

Facebook has roughly 9 million users in Russia. Domestic clone VK has around 34 million. Medvedev has cultivated a tech-friendly image since launching his modernization program while president.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)