"We have created a substantial budget stability and safety cushion. It will last for over three years," Mr Kudrin said. He said that currently the total volume of the Reserve Fund was 3.588 trillion roubles; the size of the National Welfare Fund - 1.672 trillion roubles. The total volume of both funds amounts to 5.260 trillion roubles.
Mr Kudrin said that the Reserve Fund resources will be used to cover the significant financial assistance that will be provided to the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2009 and to compensate for the shortfall of revenues not accrued due to tax innovations.