Vladimir Putin admits Russia's economy is in trouble but Trump provides relief for Kremlin

Vladimir Putin admits Russia's economy is in trouble but Trump provides relief for KremlinThe Russian economy is struggling and 'currently below expectations', according to President Vladimir Putin, who expressed his frustration in a meeting with top officialsCommentsNewsBenjamin Lynch News Reporter20:19, 19 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesThe Russian economy is performing below expectations, Putin said(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Vladimir Putin has admitted Russia’s economy is struggling as he blasted officials for not coming up with a plan.‌The Russian leader said in a televised meeting on Wednesday that Russia’s GDP had shrunk by a combined 1.8 percent over January and February.‌“I expect to hear detailed reports today on the current economic situation and why the trajectory of macroeconomic indicators is currently below expectations,” Putin said during the broadcast attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and other top officials.‌“Moreover, below the expectations of not only experts and analysts, but also the forecasts of the government itself and the central bank of Russia.”View 3 ImagesPutin during the meeting on Wednesday(Image: AP)READ MORE: Hero Garda officer who hunted Daniel Kinahan dies before 'crime boss's' Dubai arrestREAD MORE: Louisiana shooting horror with 8 kids dead is 'unlike anything police have ever seen'Also in attendance were the Kremlin’s deputy chief of staff Maxim Oreshkin, the central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina, first deputy PM Denis Manturov and deputy PM Alexander Novak. The CEO of Promsvyazbank, a state-owned bank, was also present. High inflation, thanks to Putin’s illegal war on Ukraine, has seen a slowdown in the Russian economy.‌In 2023, Russia’s GPD expanded by 4.1 percent and 4.9 percent the following year despite Western sanctions following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But strategic Ukrainian atttacks on Russian energy have hurt a potentially large uplift due to the US-Israeli w...