Putin defends fiscal course And deliberate cooling

Oct 1

Lukyanov asks about economic slowing, high interest rates, fiscal pressure and taxes. Putin describes cooling as a deliberate response to overheating, while acknowledging that weak investment must be avoided. He cites low public debt, a deficit of roughly three percent this year and two percent next year, and inflation falling from about 10.5 percent last year toward six percent. He discusses industrial and investment performance, compares Europe and China and emphasizes financial stability. These are his figures and forecasts; they do not establish adopted budget provisions or prove that all economic risks have been resolved.

Putin describes economic cooling as deliberate anti-overheating policy while acknowledging investment risk. He cites low debt, current and next-year deficits and falling inflation, and discusses industrial performance and external comparisons. These are his figures and forecasts in a response about rates, taxes and fiscal pressure; no budget adoption or removal of economic risk is established.