Interfax citing Mr Arkady Dvorkovich aide to the Russian president as saying that Russia could have a federal budget deficit of more than 6% in 2010.

Mr Arkady Dvorkovich said "The deficit will probably be more than 5% if oil prices do not go up sharply, but it could even be higher than 6% He said that but by our estimates, the 2010 deficit will be lower than this year when it will be just under 8%. We'll be trying to avoid a repeat of this.”

He added that "Most countries are so far planning higher deficits next year but we're so far planning a lower one."

(Sourced from Interfax)