Russia continues to adapt to sanctions, avoids negative scenarios

MOSCOW, Dec 13 (PRIME) -- Russia’s adaptation to the West’s sanctions policy continues, but now it is clear that negative scenarios have failed to realize, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting of the government’s Expert Council on Tuesday.

“The period of adaptation to the current challenges continues. As the president said some time ago, there is a downturn in the economy, but the situation is better than in many other states,” he said.

“Of course, we are unable to prevent some slowdown. But now it is clear that the negative scenarios have not realized, as many alarmists predicted at the beginning of the year. Even the previous global crisis was tougher for the economy. And the conditions are incomparable,” he added.

Mishustin said that the Economic Development Ministry expects Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) to contract by less than 3% in 2022.

The West has underestimated Russia’s resistance to external harm, the prime minister also said.

“The Western states’ actions have been targeted at undermining Russia’s economy and destabilization of the society, but the opponents have undervalued the resistance of our system to external influence, and its support capabilities,” he said.

“We have managed to maintain the budget stability, help the key sectors, and, which is the most important, our people,” he added.

Mishustin said that Russia needs to raise production of weapons, military machinery and garments, but it is also important to support the affordability of main goods and services for the consumers.

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