Russia hopes for good relations with U.S., but financial policy making to stay conservative – Siluanov

MOSCOW. Nov 10 (Interfax) – Russia is hoping to make progress in relations with the United States, but will make sure it is in a position to honor its commitments in any scenario by not factoring possible improvements into its financial policy, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters.

“We pursue an economic and fiscal policy that does not and must not depend on external factors. We are organizing our budget in such a way as to be able to fulfill it whatever the external circumstances,” he said.

“We’re hoping for an improvement in mutual relations [following the presidential elections], but even so we’re drawing up financial policy in such a way as to be able to honor all our commitments and plans, irrespective of the foreign economic situation that emerges, sanctions regime and so on,” he said.

Asked whether he thought an easing of anti-Russian sanctions should be expected, Siluanov said: “I think this would benefit all countries that have anything to do with those sanctions. The sanctions are of course an obstacle to mutual trade, investments, economic development and the world economy.”

“Global economic growth is slowing year in, year out, and we need to lift all restrictions in order to buck this trend. Sanctions are a brake, which reduces the opportunities for global economic development. Naturally we’ll be pushing for the speediest solution to this issue,” he said.

[featured image is file photo]