Sanctions against the Russian Federation are tough but they are good impetus to work more efficiently, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday, ONA reports citing TASS.
He was presenting his annual report on the work of the government to the State Duma, lower house of parliament.
"All this, of course, makes it difficult for us to fulfill our plans. But, on the other hand, such extreme conditions are a good, although hard incentive to work more efficiently. The structure of the economy is gradually changing. We are much less dependent on commodity markets and, accordingly, are better prepared for possible external shocks," he said.