MFA: Russia not to withdraw from IMF

Russia will continue to participate in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) activities as a member of the organisation, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin has said.

It is beneficial for Russia both from the image and from the practical side, the diplomat said in an interview with TASS.

"From a foreign policy point of view, we proceed from the expediency of continuing full-scale participation in the activities of such a large and influential international financial organization as the IMF, which is an important element of the post-war economic world order, as well as a specialized UN agency," he said.

He explained that Russia also has no plans to withdraw from the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The draft law on Russia's withdrawal from the IMF was submitted to the State Duma in December 2022, and on exit from the WTO — in March. The government has sharply criticized both initiatives.