MOSCOW: Russia's economy likely grew by 1.4 percent last year, meeting a forecast, Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev was quoted as saying on Friday by news agencies on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Official data for 2013 is due later this month. Russia's economic growth decelerated sharply in 2013, reflecting deep structural problems that analysts and officials say undercut its long-term growth potential.

The economy ministry had revised growth forecasts several times last year from initial 3.6 percent.

This year, the Economy Ministry sees growth at up to 2.5 percent.