On December 19 in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a year-end direct communication and major press conference. During the nearly 4.5-hour interaction, the head of state provided detailed explanations on the most pressing economic and financial issues of interest to citizens and journalists.
Addressing the topic of economic growth, Putin noted that GDP growth for the current year would reach 1%. However, he emphasized that over the past three years, the cumulative growth had reached 9.7%. According to the president, the slowdown in economic growth is not accidental but the result of deliberate policies aimed at curbing inflation. The government had set a goal to reduce inflation to at least 6%, and all indicators suggest that by the end of the year, this figure will range between 5.7–5.8%. This is considered the price paid to maintain macroeconomic stability.
On the matter of the budget, the Russian president positively evaluated the government’s performance. He highlighted that the state budget remains balanced, maintaining the level of quality seen in 2021. Putin identified this as a crucial factor contributing to the stability of the country’s economy and financial system.
The issue of the potential seizure of Russian assets abroad was also sharply criticized during the conference. Putin referred to such actions not as "theft" but as outright plundering. In his opinion, making such decisions is not easy, as the consequences will be burdensome even for the states initiating these actions. Ideas such as reparations backed by seized assets could impose additional strains on national budgets.
The president pointed out that such measures undermine not only political trust but also financial trust. Confidence in the Eurozone could potentially weaken, as many countries store their foreign exchange reserves in this area. According to Putin, damaging the foundational pillars of the modern financial system is beneficial to no one.
In conclusion, the Russian leader stated that the country would defend its interests, primarily through international courts. He emphasized that Moscow would seek impartial jurisdictions free from political influence and that eventually, however it may be achieved, the assets must be returned.
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