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Russia’s budget deficit to be higher than planned at current oil prices — ministry

The budget is based on $70 per barrel, Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Kolychev noted

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Russia’s federal budget deficit may be higher than planned at the current oil prices, Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Kolychev told reporters.

"The budget is based on $70 [per barrel], now we see [the oil price] closer to $60 [per barrel]. Consequently, deficit will be higher, by less than 1% of GDP, if this level keeps closer to $60," he said.

Moreover, Russia’s budget expenditures in February 2025 are expected to be lower than last February, Kolychev added.

"Overall on the quarter we are reaching roughly the same seasonality, which means that last year a surge of expenditures was in February, and this year [it was] in January. They [expenditures] in February will be most probably lower than last year," he said.

Energy crisis in Europe

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Hungarian, Polish foreign ministers exchange heated remarks on Russian assets online

The spat started with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s post, which stated that the EU leaders’ decision to seize Russian assets without consulting Hungary violates numerous laws and is "a declaration of war"

Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

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Residential buildings and two cars sustained damage

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Russia focuses on US instead of Europe in terms of Ukraine peace process — Kremlin

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Trump says threatened Thailand and Cambodia with new duties

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Rob Reiner, his wife found dead in their Los Angeles home — TV

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EU sanctions Vietnamese, UAE companies as part of anti-Russian measures — document

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Authorities of Sri Lanka ask Russia for additional aid amid Ditva cyclone — ambassador

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UAE-backed forces launch military operation in southern Yemen

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Elvis Presley on list of sponsors of migrants arriving in US — newspaper

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Man who stopped Sydney attacker turns out to be local fruit shop owner

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Russian delegation arrives in Washington for G20 sherpa meeting — envoy

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Russia blocks Western attempts to politicize UN anti-corruption conference — MFA

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Fico describes Ukraine as ‘black hole’ swallowing billions of euros

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