Putin: Russian Economy Remains Stable Despite External Pressures

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the Cabinet to discuss the economic situation. During the meeting, Putin emphasized that despite external interference in the fuel and energy complex and some other sectors, the national economy and key sectors remain stable. Putin noted that the difficulties in these sectors are temporary and cannot affect the overall economic dynamics. He announced that Russia's GDP growth was 0.3% in May and 0.2% in the first five months of the year. Putin also stated that the budget had a surplus of 196 billion rubles in June, thanks to both oil and gas revenues and non-oil and gas revenues. In the second quarter, the budget's non-oil and gas revenues increased by 25% year-on-year, he underlined.Putin stressed that the Russian economy has withstood external pressure and remains stable, and that the difficulties in the fuel market are temporary and cannot affect the overall economic dynamics. Putin expressed hope that Russia's economic performance will remain positive and that stability will continue in the future.