Moscow, 24 October: The Russian-US investment should proceed on a mutual basis, in the meantime Russia at this stage will be forced to temporarily restrict the influx of foreign capital, including the American, (Russian) presidential aide Igor Shuvalov has said at a news conference in Moscow.

"Investment should be mutual. I believe that Russia is now forced to act in this manner because in fact we are still living in a transitional period," Shuvalov said.

"No-one is waiting for the Russian business abroad, even with the big money it has," he added. Shuvalov said that the attitude to Russian investment is cautious due to fears that "a business unit controlled by the Kremlin" will appear or to suspicion that "Russian people are unpredictable."

In connection with this, Russia is forced to restrict the influx of foreign investment in a number of the Russian economy's branches. A relevant draft law is now being considered by the State Duma, Shuvalov said. He said that investment will be restricted for "a short period of time" during which the investment should be mutual.

"It is impossible for Russia to open access for foreign companies to the energy sector and to have tough restrictions at the same time. This point of view is wrong, or if it is right, it needs thorough discussion and proofs," Shuvalov added.

"Not everyone in the West supports my position believing that the fewer things depend on Russia, the better it is, " Shuvalov said. In his opinion, such position is based on lack of understanding of Russia's role in the world economy. "Our economy is the eighth in the world. In the future it will become an important counterbalancing element; without which it will be impossible to take any important decisions, including those in the financial sector," Shuvalov added.

At the same time he has noted good prospects for the Russian-US economic cooperation and possible future investment in the economies of both countries as well as other states. "No restrictions have been and will be taken against the US investment. They (restrictions) will be approved by the law and refer to all countries, " he added.