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Kremlin: officials cannot be fined for procurements of foreign software

Kremlin considers it senseless to fine officials for public procurements of foreign software, which has no analogues made in Russia, says spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Kremlin considers it senseless to fine officials for public procurements of foreign software, which has no analogues made in Russia, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday when commenting Kommersant’s report on the idea proposed by the Economic Development Ministry together with the Communications Ministry, Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Institute for development of Internet, to introduce penalties for violation of restrictions on purchases of foreign software and equipment by public authorities, local governments, state corporations and state-owned companies.

"The issue requires a nuanced and sensible approach. There are quite a few areas where so far local analogues do not meet the requirements. Of course, in a situation like that it may hardly be considered as reasonable to insist on purchases of local software with bottom quality and particularly to penalize for that," Peskov said.

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