 "'Sorry, I can't give you a date': Putin on when Russia can force Ukraine out of Kursk")
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday boasted about his country’s economy and also praised his troops gaining grounds in Ukraine. Addressing his annual news conference and call-in show, Putin also acknowledged the rising prices in Russia.
Putin assured his countrymen that the Russian economy is “stable and developing,” with up to 4 per cent GDP growth forecast by the end of 2024.
He further claimed that analysts say the Russian economy is first in Europe and fourth in the world in terms of growth.
“With the economy as a whole, the situation in Russia is stable, despite external threats and attempts to influence us,” Putin said at a televised end-of-year press conference on Thursday.
‘Inflation an alarming signal’
Putin, however, admitted that rising prices growing inflation in Russia — which he puts at 9.3 per cent year-on-year — an “alarming signal,” but added that wages and real disposable income have grown.
“Inflation is a worrying signal,” he said.
“The thing that is unpleasant and bad is the rise in prices. But I hope that if macroeconomic indicators are maintained, we will be able to cope with it,” he further said.
Putin’s remarks on inflation came amid reports of Russia’s central bank likely to hike interest rates on Friday in its latest attempt to deal with the pace of price rises amid the military offensive on Ukraine.
Russia’s central bank has already raised rates to a two-decade high of 21 per cent in a bid to cool inflation.
Putin on Russia’s war against Ukraine
Talking about the war against Ukraine which is approaching its third year, Putin said: “The situation is changing dramatically. We’re moving along the entire front line every day."
He further claimed that each day the Russian forces are capturing “square kilometers” of Ukrainian territory.
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More Shorts‘Moving towards fulfilling key objectives’
Putin went on to say that Russia is “moving toward fulfilling the key objectives that we outlined at the start of the special military operation.”
Lauding his troops, Putin said that Russian soldiers have been “heroically” driving out Ukrainian forces from southwestern Russia’s Kursk region.
“We’ll wish them all good luck, victory and a return home,” he added.
‘Have no doubt’
Responding to a question of a resident from Kursk region who on a phone call during the conference asked when Ukrainian forces occupying parts the region will be driven out and whether their damaged homes will be repaired or replaced, Putin said, “We will absolutely kick them out. Absolutely. It can’t be any other way.
He, however, declined to give any specific date as to when parts of the Kursk region will be liberated and said, “I’m sorry, I cannot say right now.”
But Putin promised that “everything will be restored.”
“Have no doubt. Everyone will be satisfied,” he assured.
The press conference, which is broadcast live by state-controlled TV stations across Russia’s 11 time zones, has been heavily dominated by domestic issues.
With inputs from agencies.
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