MOSCOW, December 27 (RIA Novosti) - Inflation in Russia in 2008 could total 13.5-13.8%, the finance minister said Saturday.
Alexei Kudrin, who is also a deputy prime minister, told the Vesti TV channel that inflation in 2009 could slow down and total 11%.
"With economic growth at 2.4% and the oil price at $50 per barrel, inflation in 2009 will total 11%," he said, however adding that should the average annual oil price in 2009 be lower, inflation could reach 15%.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin previously said Russia would see 13% inflation for 2008, against a target of 11.8%.