Detention of Russia's Economy Minister Not to Affect 2017 Budget Approval

The detention of Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev on suspicion of bribery will not affect the assessment and approval of the federal budget for 2017 and for the 2018-2019 period, Sergei Shatirov, the deputy head of Russia's Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy, said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Ulyukayev is under investigation for allegedly receiving $2 million for a positive appraisal that allowed Russian energy company Rosneft to buy the state's shares of Bashneft oil company, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.

"The approval of the federal budget is an established government process, it does not depend on separate individuals," Shatirov told RIA Novosti.

He added that the budget would be assessed according to the set schedule.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is expected to discuss later in the day the federal budget project for the year 2017 and for the 2018-2019 period. Ulyukaev was supposed to participate in the meeting.

The Russian lower house of parliament will assess the budget on November 18.