Kremlin says S&P's business optimism study can be inaccurate

MOSCOW, Jul 18 (PRIME) -- A research by S&P Global saying that Russia’s business optimism fell to a 13-year low may be inaccurate, because the company no longer resides in the country, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

"S&P Global seems not to be working on the territory of the Russian Federation, did they leave?.. I suggest treating this with caution, first, sort out what was the poll, who participated, who organized it," Peskov said.

He said that the situation in the Russian economy is aggravated by the unfriendly environment, but it is much better than the Western countries expected.

Peskov also told the National Iranian Radio and Television that Russia plans to stop using the U.S. dollar in transactions with the country gradually, and that Moscow and Tehran have a chance to strengthen their relations in order to fend off sanctions.

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