NOVO-OGARYOVO, June 7. /TASS/. Price increases in Russia came to a halt in the second half of May, with inflation currently standing at zero, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on economic issues on Tuesday.

"Inflation has been taken under control. It equaled 17.4% in annual terms as of May 27. That said, starting from the second half of May, price increases had completely stopped. Currently, inflation stands at zero," he said.

Meanwhile, the authorities should be aware of both the positive and negative sides of the situation, Putin added. "There are both pluses here, as well as traps lying in wait as they say, which is why it is necessary to thoroughly analyze the situation and make timely decisions," he explained.