Dmitry Medvedev was interviewed by five Russian TV channels on various issues, government webpage reported.
The Prime Minister noted that national “Growth rate for January−October reached approximately 1.7%. It is a modest figure, yet the economy is growing.” The country “must keep up with the world’s average growth rate”, though.
Medvedev listed some positive developments, saying that Russia “will have a surplus budget for the first time in years. Another notable factor is low inflation.” Other positive results include growing foreign currency reserves, low domestic and sovereign debts. Among the negative factors he named oil prices volatility and unpredictability and Russia’s “continued confrontation with a number of countries”, saying that “sanctions imposed on our country and our retaliatory measures have resulted in losses of approximately $100 bln in our trade with European and other countries.”
According to the PM, “Russia’s agriculture is now feeding the entire nation. We have attained the main food security goals and are now supplying grain and other farm products to world markets. Our country has been predestined to feed the entire planet.”