OREANDA-NEWS. The analytical credit rating agency (ACRA) assigned the Russian Federation a long-term credit rating in foreign and national currencies at “A-”, the rating outlook is “stable”, the agency’s press release said. Also, the Russian Federation was assigned a short-term credit rating in foreign and national currencies at the level of "S1".

“Specific credit rating of Russia at the “A-” level is supported by the low level of the country's state debt and its stable structure, stable external position, as well as effective monetary policy and its coordination with fiscal policy, which significantly improve macroeconomic stability”, ACRA noted. The factors that put pressure on the credit rating, according to the agency, are the low potential for economic growth, limited diversification of exports, the non-transparency of the obligations of the Russian government in relation to a number of public sector companies, and the threat of sanctions.

According to experts of the research center, the price situation on world commodity markets significantly affect the Russian economy, the existing instability on the gas issue in Europe has a negative impact. On the horizon, at least until 2022-2023, the vulnerability of the balance of payments of the Russian Federation will remain, although it will be compensated by current economic policies, the agency noted. Experts assessed all possible risks, even indirectly capable of affecting the country's macroeconomics.

The likelihood of new anti-Russian economic and financial sanctions, according to ACRA analysts, has significantly decreased compared to the period 2015-2018. At the same time, this threat does not allow a positive forecast for relations with partners, complicates the import of technologies, which ultimately reduces the growth potential of the economy. In addition, analysts at a major US agency called sanctions the biggest obstacle to Russian business growth.