Russia, which holds the world's third-biggest foreign exchange reserves,
is "concerned" about economic woes in Europe and the U.S., President
Dmitry Medvedev's chief economic aide said Monday.
Arkady Dvorkovich said he was concerned about Europe's
economic challenges, saying it is "not clear" who will make the final
decisions with regard to the euro-zone debt crisis.
Dvorkovich said several days ago that Russia is likely to
continue cutting the share of its reserves invested in U.S. debt as
Washington faces large budget deficits and tries to revive a lukewarm
economic recovery. Spain recently asked Russia to purchase its debt,
according to Russia's finance minister.
Medvedev's aide also said Monday the oil price shouldn't
determine the pace of reform in Russia and that new political forces are
emerging on the left and right that will create a more balanced
political system. Russian reforms should continue regardless of who is
president next year, he said.
Dvorkovich confirmed that the sale of a state-held stake in
gas giant OAO Gazprom
(GAZP.RS) is not under discussion.