NOVO-OGAREVO, January 30. /ITAR-TASS/. Former Russian finance minister Alexei Kudrin told reporters on Thursday he does not expect the ruble to weaken much.

“On the whole, the ruble rate changes within the basic indexes and the factors that exist in the international market,” Kudrin holds. “There will be no further considerable weakening (of the ruble) and, I believe, it will be adjusted in the course of the year,” he said. The expert added: “I have no particular concern about the (ruble) rate.” “The ruble rate will be about equal to the official forecast,” he holds.

“The ruble will at first be weakening and then will rally to some extent, that is, will be adjusted; certain volatility will continue throughout the year, but any serious factors for the weakening of the ruble rate are nonexistent,” Kudrin holds. The expert believes, “new factors for the weakening of the ruble do not exist.