MOSCOW, January 11. /TASS/. The Central Bank’s present key rate of 16% is temporary, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, adding that it will change as inflation declines.

"The Central Bank’s key rate in its today’s form is still temporary. Both Central Bank Governor [Elvira Nabiullina] and experts say it. As inflation-related issues are solved, as inflation declines I think this position will change," he said during a meeting with Far Eastern entrepreneurs.

The Bank of Russia raised the key rate by more than two times last year from 7.5% to 16% per annum. At the last board meeting in December Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said that the cycle of the key rate hikes was close to completion.