U.S. debt rating downgrade harms world economy - Putin

The recent U.S. debt downgrade by a leading debt ratings agency is harmful for the global economy, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said during his annual address to parliament on Wednesday.

The recent U.S. debt downgrade by a leading debt ratings agency is harmful for the global economy, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said during his annual address to parliament on Wednesday.

"It has a negative effect on the global economy," Putin said.

His comments came two days after Standard & Poor lowered its top AAA rating on U.S. government debt.

MOSCOW, April 20 (RIA Novosti)