Putin sees alleviation of poverty as top priority

Russian President Vladimir Putin

"Yes, our economic growth is still insufficient, too many people still live below the poverty line, and this is absolutely inadmissible. Solving this problem is the president's main priority for the time being," Peskov told the Argumenty i Fakty newspaper.

There should be a breakthrough in people's minds, technologies, and work efficiency, said Peskov, adding "the national projects provide all necessary basis, and we just need to methodically put them into practice."

When asked about what he expects from the Russian economy in 2019, Peskov said: "Preserving macroeconomic stability."