Alexei Kudrin, who was Russia's finance minister from 2000 to 2011, is in talks with Vladimir Putin and other top officials about returning to a senior post to help deal with worsening economic troubles, according to three people familiar with the discussions, Bloomberg reports.
Alexei Kudrin, who was Russia's finance minister from 2000 to 2011, is in talks with Vladimir Putin and other top officials about returning to a senior post to help deal with worsening economic troubles, according to three people familiar with the discussions, Bloomberg reports.
Kudrin has met privately with the Russian president and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev but no formal offer has yet been made. The talks are the most advanced since Kudrin, widely respected by investors for his fiscal discipline and commitment to market reforms.
A decision could come early next year.
Kudrin said through spokesman Pavel Kuznetsov: “I met with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev last week. We discussed economic issues. An invitation to join government service was not discussed”.
Bloomberg stresses that Kudrin’s return to a senior post would likely be welcomed by business and investors alike, who credit him with imposing the budget discipline that’s helped Russia weather the economic crisis so far.
“He’s not being appointed to anything yet,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, declining further comment.
