Russia’s economy must not slide into recession, President Vladimir Putin said, after economists warned for months of a slowdown in growth. Putin told attendees, including government ministers and central bankers, at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday that some specialists and experts were “pointing to the risks of stagnation and even a recession”. “This must not be allowed to happen under any circumstances,” he said. “We need to pursue a competent, well-thought-out budgetary, tax and monetary policy,” he added. Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said on Thursday that the economy was on the verge ... (full story)