8 Feb 2023 09:38

PM's spokesman denies report that govt pressuring Central Bank to lower key interest rate

MOSCOW. Feb 8 (Interfax) - A spokesman for the Russian government has denied a report that the Cabinet is pressuring the Central Bank to lower the key interest rate.

"The Bloomberg report about pressure from the government of the Russian Federation on the Bank of Russia on the issue of lowering the key rate is not true," Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's press secretary Boris Belyakov said.

"The Cabinet and Central Bank are in constant contact, including on the issues of working out measures to support the economy amid sanctions, and act within the boundaries of their authority and function," Belyakov said.

He added that the "publication of such information is always sensitive for businesses and citizens," and "such misinformation is speculation with the aim of influencing the development of the situation in the economy."