Story perspectives

Putin vs. Gref: Diverging Views on Russia's Economy

9/14/2025

50 4

Summary

Story summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sberbank CEO German Gref disagreed on the state of Russia's economy, highlighting a gap between the Kremlin and financial experts.
Gref noted near-zero GDP growth, while Putin described the slowdown as a "soft landing."
The Central Bank of Russia reduced interest rates to 17% due to inflation and economic pressures.
Experts suggest the Kremlin prioritizes military efforts over economic stability, leading to rising budget deficits.
Inflation continues to hinder economic recovery, complicating budget deficit discussions.

1 of 1

Story summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sberbank CEO German Gref disagreed on the state of Russia's economy, highlighting a gap between the Kremlin and financial experts.
Gref noted near-zero GDP growth, while Putin described the slowdown as a "soft landing."
The Central Bank of Russia reduced interest rates to 17% due to inflation and economic pressures.
Experts suggest the Kremlin prioritizes military efforts over economic stability, leading to rising budget deficits.
Inflation continues to hinder economic recovery, complicating budget deficit discussions.