RFERL: As Ruble Tumbles, Russian Minister Says Budget Needs Rethink
Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak has said the falling price of oil on world markets necessitates adjustments in Russia's 2015 state budget.
Novak told reporters on November 28 the budget's assumed benchmark price of crude oil at $100 per barrel would have to be changed by the Ministry of Economic Development.
Novak said the average price of oil would still amount to $98 or $99 per barrel this year due to high prices in the first half of 2014.