ISTANBUL

Russia has successfully handled unprecedented sanctions, unlike the countries that imposed them, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Friday.

Speaking at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Mishustin stated that Russia’s economy has demonstrated steady growth for the second consecutive year despite external pressure.

“The economy of the country has successfully withstood unprecedented sanctions, unlike many nations that imposed them. In some cases, their situation is close to stagnation,” he said.

Mishustin credited the government’s strategic measures and the involvement of experts and businesses for economic resilience. He emphasized that industrial production has been a key driver of growth, contributing an 8.5% increase, surpassing initial forecasts.

President Putin also highlighted Russia’s economic performance, noting that the country’s 4.1% GDP growth exceeded projections and compared favorably to other leading economies.

“In the United States, growth was 2.8%, which is a good result. In the eurozone, it was more modest—France grew by 1.1%, and Germany’s economy even contracted by 0.2%,” he said. “These are their problems; we know what they are related to.”

Mishustin underlined that high investment and consumer activity had supported the growth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). He added that Russia’s long-term economic goals could now be approached with more confidence.