"In my opinion, the key task is to ensure the stability of Russia's banking system and to secure a sustained operation of Russian businesses. The Bank for Development (Vnesheconombank) will play one of the key roles in addressing this issue."

"Liquidity is there but it often fails to reach the consumers. This is a problem for all financial systems. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that although we make decisions and allocate the required funds, they often fail to reach the end users. In this sense, Russia does not differ much from other countries. The only difference perhaps is that we have a real potential."

Issues discussed included a further improvement in the quantity and quality of crop production in Russia, state assistance with the introduction of new technologies, and more efficient financing of agriculture.

"The main point is to make sure that adult programmes convey basic values. Therefore, the content is very important, and all the more so because of the imminent switch to the digital format. This is abundantly clear."

Mr Zubkov expressed confidence that in the coming years Russia would manage to fully tap the vast potential of its agriculture to “make the domestic agro-industrial complex truly profitable, to ensure the country’s food security and, most importantly, to improve the quality of life of 40 million rural residents.”

"If need be, certain demands can be made to the future foreign owner of a strategic company. These include commitments to guarantee the preservation of state secrets, to process raw materials on Russian territory, to preserve jobs and carry out in full the business plan for production development. I would like to add that many foreign countries have similar laws."