MOSCOW (Reuters)–The Russian ruble has strengthened more than expected, but Russia will continue shielding the currency from excessive fluctuations, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
‘The ruble has seriously appreciated, more than we expected,’ Putin said. ‘We will continue to follow a responsible currency policy, not allowing sharp fluctuations of the national currency.’
Putin added that the peak in unemployment growth in Russia had passed and that this year’s budget would be safe even if the recent appreciation trend in oil prices does not last.