Russia’s economy has begun cooling, according to Maxim Reshetnikov, the minister of Economic Development, even as the forecast for 2025 GDP growth remains pinned at 2.5 percent. The update, carried by RIA Novosti, frames the moderation as a return to a steadier, more sustainable pace rather than a sudden slide and says officials will assess the latest numbers as soon as they are available. In recent quarters the data paint a mixed picture: consumer demand softening across many sectors, while manufacturing and several export lines show resilience thanks to favorable price dynamics and steady investment activity. The government has long signaled that the path to growth in the coming year would rely on a careful balance between supporting households, keeping investment channels open, and maintaining a stable external environment. In this framework, the 2.5 percent target for 2025 remains the reference point for policy makers, with revisions possible only after new figures are compiled. Analysts note that a slowdown after a period of stronger momentum is not unusual and stress that the priority for authorities is to preserve financial stability, push forward selective structural reforms, and ensure the economy stays adaptable to shifts in global demand. Taken together, the remarks from Reshetnikov emphasize a steady, pragmatic approach to steering the economy through a period of normalization while keeping the long term plan intact. The overall mood in Moscow through the briefing is one of cautious optimism rather than alarm, a signal that policy tools are calibrated to support gradual progress rather than abrupt changes.
Speaking on the sidelines of a business forum in Tanzania, Reshetnikov underscored that the economy is moving within the bounds set by the declared parameters and that early indicators point to a cooling trend rather than an overheating scenario. He added that the government will keep a close watch on the trajectory and adjust its readings as fresh data becomes available. He stated, ‘We will look very carefully and analyze the situation based on the emerging figures.’
Updates will follow as new data arrives, and market participants will monitor each release for signs that could shift the policy path. Analysts will weigh the implications of fresh statistics for inflation, exchange rates, and investment, and authorities will adapt their stance accordingly. The lines from Moscow reflect a methodical approach to the transition, emphasizing stability and gradual adjustment rather than sudden shifts. Ongoing reporting aims to keep the public informed about the economy’s path, acknowledging that uncertainties persist due to external factors and evolving global conditions. The final read on 2025 growth will depend on how demand evolves, energy prices move, and the pace of structural reforms continues, with Reshetnikov and his colleagues outlining the room to maneuver needed to sustain growth over the year ahead.