It is the first time in my experience that major changes that were rejected during preliminary considerations have been made to such a high-profile document without prior discussion by the Cabinet and coordination with the...

This is not just a question of supplies of oil or gas, though they of course play a serious role.

We are working in this direction.

The pilot project to use the funds [allocated for the purpose] will be possibly determined.

We informed our partners about the development of the gas industry in Russia.

We are proposing to define the budget deficit excluding oil revenues, instead of immediately cutting spending, and to refrain from increasing [the deficit].

We should know how much we have in a non-oil budget.

Lowering inflation to 3-4% annually should be a priority, a major instrument of economic policy, and we have the means to lower inflation to this level.

If inflation is 3-4%, interest rates will drop to 5-7% and loans could be issued for 10 years.

We will have to raise VAT again in a couple of years.

That is why we do not understand the U.S. dollar at the moment as the universal or absolute reserve currency.

That means that the Russian prime minister took personal responsibility [for the decision].

I have no doubts that Russia’s position will be supported.