MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. The increase in value-added tax (VAT) in Russia will not be permanent, taxes should be reduced in the future, President Vladimir Putin said during the combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference headlined ‘Results of the Year’.
The Central Bank is constantly under pressure due to the level of the key interest rate, he said, adding that by law it is independent, so it is necessary not to interfere with the decisions it makes.
Moreover, Putin called the regulation of food prices by government bodies dangerous.
TASS has collected key statements by the head of state.
Russia's GDP growth in 2025 equaled 1%.






