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Russian President Vladimir Putin's address to the Federal Assembly

Russian banks stay the course, have sizable safety net — Putin

In 2021, bank loans to the corporate sector grew by 11%, the mortgage portfolio grew by 20.4%

MOSCOW, February 21. /TASS/. Russian banks are operating steadily, and have a big safety net as the volume of bank loans to the corporate sector increased by 14%, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Tuesday.

"Domestic banks are operating steadily, have a solid margin of safety. In 2022, the volume of bank loans to the corporate sector increased. There were many concerns about this, but growth was recorded. It grew by 14%. This is more than in 2021 without any military operation," the head of state said.

In 2021, bank loans to the corporate sector grew by 11%, the mortgage portfolio grew by 20.4%, the President added.

"According to the results of last year, the banking sector as a whole turned a profit. Yes, it is not as big as in previous years, but decent - a profit of 203 billion rubles ($2.7 bln). This is also an indicator of the stability of the Russian financial sector," Putin stressed.

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The European Commission suggested introducing duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus earlier

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Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Vologda Region to present its stand at SPIEF first time

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US deploying missiles in Philippines to endanger global security — Russian envoy

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Chief prosecutors of Russia, Venezuela sign cooperation agreement in Caracas

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Pipeline explodes in Kharkov Region

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G7 foreign ministers set to call on all sides to exercise restraint in Middle East

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israel will "most likely" respond to the recent Iranian attack

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Putin may hold meeting of Council on Interethnic Relations on April 24 — Council’s member

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Russia, Iran maintain contacts on nuclear security - deputy foreign minister

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Russian Aerospace Forces strike five militant hideouts in Syria’s Homs

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Russian artillery thwarts Ukrainian army’s rotation near Kupyansk — underground resistance

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Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Agents in Ukrainian, Poland foil attempt to kill Zelensky, security officials in Kiev say

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Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin also said that an explosive device had detonated in the Kievsky District of Donetsk, injuring a man born in 1964

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

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Cuba expects to welcome over 200,000 Russian tourists in 2024 — minister

Juan Carlos Garcia Granda expressed hope that in a short term the number could climb to half a million

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Ukrainian drone attack damages four houses in Russia’s Voronezh

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Exports of Chinese goods to Ukraine rise by 50% to $783 mln in January - March

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Vehicles, equipment participating in Victory Day parade depart for Moscow — ministry

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Gazprom CEO and Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia discussed Russian gas supplies — company

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Russian MFA says Russia won’t invade Ukraine, blames US for ‘aggressive plans’

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Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

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Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

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