Putin and Presidential Elections

budget shortfalls: The value of the deal is estimated at 700 billion rubles , which would set a privatization record for the country, according to The Moscow Times. A deal would help Putin to cover budget shortfalls before the presidential elections in 2018 and would balance the 19.75 percent stake in Rosneft purchased by London-based BP Plc in 2013. Russia would like to carry out a joint deal with both countries, the news agency reported, citing unidentified sources. Russia budget is currently under strain because of economic recession which was aggravated in 2014 over Western sanctions and falling oil prices. President Vladimir Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the Kremlin does not have a preference between Indian or Chinese investors and said that all options are being considered, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. Both China and India previously expressed interest in the sale of Rosneft, but neither of the countries confirmed that a joint deal is being considered, Bloomberg reported. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.