Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored that the country’s foreign exchange market has found stability following the implementation of the policy mandating the sale of foreign currency earnings. He indicated that this measure, now in force, is contributing to a calmer market environment and is expected to help moderate inflation. The remarks were reported by the Russian information agency RIA News, which relayed his assessment of the market’s trajectory and his confidence in the new regime for currency earnings management.
Putin emphasized that the stability observed in the forex market should translate into a steadier price environment for a wide range of goods and services as inflation pressures ease. He noted the ongoing enforcement of the compulsory sale rule and suggested that the policy framework will continue to anchor market expectations while the economy adjusts to the new normal in currency earnings flows. He also mentioned that authorities are actively monitoring the operations of numerous enterprises and financial institutions to ensure compliance and to safeguard financial stability during this transition.
In his broader remarks, Putin cast the current situation as part of a larger strategic response to external pressures. He referenced Western sanctions as a backdrop to domestic economic management and asserted that several Western plans aimed at restricting Russia, including attempts to curb the export and supply of certain everyday items, are impractical or misguided. He hinted at the expectation that sanctions will intensify, arguing that punitive measures will continue to be rolled out against Russia by Western governments, a development he described as a test for the resilience of the Russian economy and its governance structures.
Earlier reports from international business media highlighted a more favorable assessment of Russia’s economic resilience. Forbes magazine, citing unnamed sources, asserted that Russia’s economy has remained stable despite more than a year and a half of Western sanctions and the ongoing military operation in Ukraine. The publication noted that the economy did not collapse as some experts predicted, pointing to indicators of continued activity, investment, and consumer demand despite the external headwinds. These observations contribute to a broader narrative in which the Russian economy has shown a capacity to absorb shocks while adapting to new external realities.
More recently, Bloomberg cited official sources within the European Union indicating the negotiation of a twelfth package of restrictive measures aimed at Russia. The proposed package reportedly encompasses new import restrictions totaling around 2.5 billion euros and a comparable level of export controls approximating 5.3 billion dollars. The measures are described as targeted and sector-specific, focusing on curbing the flow of goods and technologies that could bolster Russia’s economic and military capabilities. The development reflects the continuing trend of tightening sanctions, even as Moscow signals composure in domestic financial markets and a commitment to policy mechanisms designed to stabilize revenue streams from energy and other sectors.
Amid these developments, Putin also made a light remark that touched on the centralization of authority within the Russian state. He quipped about the notion of a “supreme government,” a tongue-in-cheek reference that underscored his insider awareness of Russian political dynamics while deflecting broader debates about governance structures. The moment highlighted the interplay between economic policy decisions, political messaging, and public perception during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.