Russian minister says budget 'critical', calls for privatisation

Russia can no longer afford to wait for a market rebound, its economy minister said Tuesday, calling the budget situation "critical" and urging to restart a stalled privatisation drive. The government is looking for ways to raise funds for the budget as its earnings dwindle due to low oil prices, with voices increasingly urging the sale of minority stakes in state-owned companies, carrying out plans put on hold since President Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin. Speaking at a ministerial mee