Russia Putin sees economic situation as stable
Despite unprecedented Western sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin has given an overall satisfactory economic assessment of the past year - especially in comparison to Western industrialized nations.
19.12.2024, 11:15
SDA
Gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 3.9 percent in 2024, "perhaps even four percent", the Kremlin leader predicted at his combined annual press conference and public address. In the past two years, GDP has even increased by eight percent. In the same period, Germany had shown zero percent growth, he said.
Putin admitted that there were problems in combating inflation. According to him, prices rose by 9.2 to 9.3 percent over the course of the year. However, in the case of food, for example, this was due to the fact that consumption had increased.
Economists are warning of a significant slump in growth rates in the coming year. In addition to high inflation, the Russian economy is also experiencing problems due to the very high key interest rate, which stands at 21%.
Putin traditionally addresses the country's most pressing problems at his annual press conference and public address. In addition to social and economic issues, questions about the war of aggression in Ukraine have dominated Question Time since the start of the invasion ordered by Putin. The event, which lasts several hours, offers the Kremlin leader the chance to present himself as a caretaker.
