Putin says currency union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus is possible in the future

Putin says currency union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus is possible in the futureRussian President Vladimir Putin forecast a decrease in GDP of the CIS countries of around 1.4% following a meeting with the leaders of Kazakhstan and Belarus in Astana.The Russian leader also suggested thinking about the formation of a currency union of the three states. "I think the time has come to discuss the possibility of creating a future currency union," Putin noted, speaking about coordinating monetary policy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin forecast a decrease in GDP of the CIS countries of around 1.4% following a meeting with the leaders of Kazakhstan and Belarus in Astana.

The Russian leader also suggested thinking about the formation of a currency union of the three states. "I think the time has come to discuss the possibility of creating a future currency union," Putin noted, speaking about coordinating monetary policy.

"Working shoulder to shoulder, it is easier to respond to financial and economic threats from outside and protect our common market," TASS cited him as saying.