The director of Sberbank emphasizes the need to attract qualified labor from abroad to support the economic growth of Russia, affected by the war in Ukraine.

German Gref, commercial director at Sberbank, stated that Russia needs to achieve an economic growth of at least 3.2% per year until 2030 to address social issues. In the context of the war in Ukraine, Russia is facing a severe labor shortage as many people have joined the army. Analysts forecast a slowdown in economic growth to 0.8% in 2025, down from 4.3% last year.

Gref emphasized that, due to Western sanctions and high interest rates, attracting skilled labor from abroad is essential. Although migration has been restricted, he urged the government to actively seek professionals from abroad and to offer incentives for international students, considering that this is vital for national security and the survival of the country.