Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak believes that oil prices could reach $100 per barrel under certain conditions, but Russia hopes to balance the situation, he told reporters on Wednesday. "Today the price already reaches $83, prices do not stand still, they either go up or down. … I hope that the market situation will be balanced," he said, answering a question about oil prices reaching $100 per barrel in the future. Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier he considers the oil price at $100 per barrel "quite possible." "Quite possible. The (oil -TASS) price is rising now. We mean Russia," he said. ... (full story)