No reason for further monetary tightening right now, rate already at it limit - Kostin

MOSCOW. April 16 (Interfax) - The Central Bank of Russia's key rate is already at its limit and there are no grounds for further abrupt monetary policy tightening, VTB chief Andrei Kostin said.

"I don't see any reasons to tighten monetary policy for now. It will probably become clearer in the middle of this year - so that the course the Central Bank is taking can be brought to fruition. We'll see. The storm [in the global economy amid the U.S. government's tariff decisions] may, of course, force certain adjustments. Perhaps it [monetary policy in Russia] will not be eased very much. But I don't think there is much room for tightening. I think this level [a key rate of 21%] should be the limit," Kostin said in an interview with the Russia 24 TV channel.

But he said "you should never flinch." The main macroeconomic indicators in Russia are stable, the ruble exchange rate has strengthened considerably, which should make imported goods cheaper, he said.

"I think we'll manage and there'll be no need for any abrupt monetary tightening," Kostin said.