Putin Demands Answers as Russia's Growth Falls Short of Forecasts

President Putin pressed the government and the Central Bank for explanations after Russia’s economy undershot expectations this year, with January–February GDP down 1.8% year-on-year. Calendar-adjusted figures show January flat and February up 0.3%, but construction and broader industrial activity remained weak. Oil and gas revenues plunged, widening the budget deficit to 4.58 trillion rubles, signaling limited upside as economists warn of only modest growth around 1% this year amid high interest rates and war distortions.