Putin called the West “an empire of lies” - Nabiullina in mourning
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the West an “empire of lies” today at a meeting on economic issues in the Kremlin.
“I invited you to talk about issues related to the economy, finance, bearing in mind the sanctions that the so-called Western community, this empire of lies, is trying to implement against our country,” Putin said.
The meeting was attended by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Deputy Prime Ministers Andrei Belousov, Alexander Novak, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, as well as First Deputy Head of the Kremlin Administration Sergei Kiriyenko, Presidential Aide Maxim Oreshkin. The participation of the head of Sberbank German Gref was expected, but he did not appear.
Journalists noticed that in the protocol shots, the head of the Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, had a demonstratively mournful appearance. She wore all black and did not put on any brooches, which, as you know, she is a big fan of. At the meeting, she did not look at the president, but sat with her hands clasped and her gaze fixed on the table.
On the eve of the event, rumors spread on anonymous telegram channels that Nabiullina and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, who are the pillars of systemic liberalism in Russia, submitted their resignations. So far these rumors have not been confirmed.
However, absolutely officially this morning, the Central Bank, “due to the worsening economic situation in Russia,” decided to increase the key rate to a historical maximum of 20%. This decision caused sharp criticism in the country.
“The decision of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia greatly enhances the negative effect of the sanctions imposed by NATO countries on the Russian economy. This decision of the Bank of Russia entails a decline in economic activity, blocks investments financed from domestic sources, and leads to an increase in the cost of government borrowing. As in 2014, by raising the interest rate, the leadership of the Central Bank is actually playing along with the enemy, creating conditions for causing maximum damage to Russia,” wrote Sergei Glazyev, a current member of the board for main areas of integration and macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission, in his telegram channel.
However, after the meeting it turned out that the President of the Russian Federation instructed to maintain all lending rates that were specified in the agreements after increasing the key rate to 20%. This was announced by his press secretary Dmitry Peskov. Was this what Nabiullina publicly mourned?
Putin Calls the West an "Empire of Lies" – Nabiullina in Mourning