MOSCOW, October 17 (RIA Novosti) - The global financial crisis could reach its peak in March-May 2009, a source in the Russian government said on Friday.
"Normal stock market growth will resume after that," he said.
He also said the government had no plans to conduct an in-depth review of current expenditure and investment programs over the crisis.
The source warned that Russia should be ready for moderate oil prices in the next few years, predicting prices of $60 to $80 per barrel.
The source added that the ruble would only significantly weaken if oil prices remained consistently low.
Russia's Central Bank could start placing funds at deposit auctions for about 120 banks on October 21, the same source announced. He cautioned, however, that the Russian government was only prepared to protect the country's key banks, and that state-owned stakes in some banks could be increased.
