From Le Figaro with AFP
Published 33 minutes ago, updated 29 minutes ago
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As Russia continues to suffer the effects of Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine, its president allowed himself a little joke about the spread of bed bugs in cities.
Russia will be refused imports of European products? One less chance of catching bed bugs, Vladimir Putin said happily at a meeting about the country’s economic situation. While the Russian president called on the government and the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) to take measures against inflation, he did not miss an opportunity to mock Ukraine’s allies.
The Russian head of state warned that the pressure from Western sanctions would increase and the government had to prepare for this: “The fantasies of our partners are now bordering on the absurd, with the ban on importing screwdrivers, needles, etc. to Russia.” said Vladimir Putin.
“But the less trash we have, the better. “This reduces the likelihood that bed bugs will be exported to us from European megacities,” he added, alluding to the fears raised in several European countries by the spread of these insects.
“Effective coordinated action”
“I once again draw the attention of the government and the Bank of Russia to the importance of effective coordinated measures to reduce inflation,” the Russian leader said afterwards during a televised meeting. “This directly affects the well-being of Russian families and our fellow citizens,” he emphasized.
Russia’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 15% from 13% on Friday, the fourth straight increase in just over three months, to counter inflation and the ruble’s weakening. “The budget (2024) is an important factor in our decision,” admitted the head of the BCR, Elvira Nabioullina, with the increase in planned spending potentially accelerating price increases.
The day before, Russian MPs voted for a very large increase in federal defense spending in 2024 (+68% over one year). The conflict in Ukraine is putting a heavy burden on Russia’s finances and economy. Under the impact of sanctions, the weakening of the ruble in recent months has been accompanied by a return of inflation, causing many Russians to fear for their purchasing power.