Russian President Vladimir Putin expects economy to recovery in the next two years as global markets expand. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov) | License Photo

MOSCOW, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Measures beyond the sphere of immediate Russian economic influence are behind the devaluation of the national currency, Russia's president said Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence on the decline of the nation's economy during his annual meeting with members of the media. Though Russia's currency, the ruble, recovered to 65.10 to the U.S. dollar by Thursday, it had been in a free fall, dropping by double digits to 80.10 earlier in the week.


The Bank of Russia raised its key interest rate to 17.5 percent from 10.5 percent in an attempt to strengthen the currency. Putin said those and other similarlow as both the West's International Energy Agency and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries trimmed demand forecasts for 2015 because of weak growth in the global economy.

With the value of the Russian currency falling, officials said the budget losses for Russia next year could be as high as $1.7 billion. Putin said the Russian economy may have to diversify in the current climate, but stressed relief was in sight.

"Exit from the current economic situation in Russia is inevitable," he said. "The global economy will grow and our economy will overcome the current situation in approximately two years."