Therefore, let me reiterate that the rate should not meet the interests of a specific group or one or two groups, it should meet the fundamental development interests of the economy itself.
I know very well about the necessary level of reserves of the Central Bank as well as the purpose.
As for the President-elect [Donald Trump], he has his own views on things, and this is also fairly natural.
The stability of the rate is the main issue and the Central Bank manages to ensure it one way or another. This was finally achieved after the Central Bank switched to a floating national currency exchange rate.
Our microeconomic indicators are stable and it gives me reason to believe that we will calmly and steadily pass this uneasy period in our economy, which has already no doubt adapted to the current situation.
Here we have 40 million Russian citizens involved in the sphere of agriculture one way or another. This is very important.
I simply noted that one of the groups, especially exporters, would prefer to have a weaker rouble.
If everything stops functioning our level will be able to ensure our trade turnover using its gold and foreign currency reserves for at least six months or more, which is more than enough.
Therefore today we have an absolutely sufficient level of gold and foreign currency reserves in order to ensure economic stability and sustainable foreign trade turnover.
We do not have to borrow in the external market, but we have used and are using this traditional instrument in international financial relations.
We have issued financial instruments in the past, and there is a strong demand for them, it is simply unnecessary now.
What are we seeking to achieve? We are seeking to optimize budget spending. I believe that even in such uneasy times we employ a very pragmatic approach towards economic and social issues. We do address major social problems and deliver on our promises to our people.
Syria is already in the grips of a civil war, unfortunately enough, and Egypt is moving in that direction. We would like to see the Egyptian people avoid this fate.
We are not going to waste our reserves and burn them for any political ambitions. We will act very carefully.
Russia has not taken part and is not going to take part in any actions aimed at removing legitimate government.
I believe that global common interests are a good foundation for finding solutions together.
Russia had to take the necessary measures in order to prevent the situation in Crimea unfolding the way it is now unfolding in southeastern Ukraine. We didn't want any tanks, any nationalist combat units or people with extreme views armed with automatic weapons.
In relations between the states ... the interests of the country should be correlated with the interests of other countries, and compromise is to be found when resolving the most complex issues.
