Despite numerous appeals, since the beginning 1987, to diversify the economy of Russia, the aim is not achieved. The article argues that the diversification as a process lacks adequate institutional conditioning. Path-dependency provided stability to economic growth while the structure of economy remains mainly unchanged. Global financial crisis gives an opportunity to stir up discussion on diversification as driving factor of innovative development. The author believes that methodology and theory of constructing sustained and diversified productions is mechanically imported from foreign sources, regardless institutional realities of Russian market. Considering all this, the paper suggests creating institutional framework capable to manage processes of economy diversification.