Putin discussed the privatization plans with officials on Monday, saying the sales should be made quickly but not at “bargain basement prices,” according to a government statement.
Strategically important companies should not be up for grabs, however, and the new owners should be based on Russian soil, he added.
Flagship airline Aeroflot, oil giant Rosneft and state hydroelectricity company RusHydro could all be considered for privatization, according to a government document released Tuesday.
The government currently owns a majority stake in each of these firms.
Economic development minister Alexey Ulyukayev said the privatization could not be put off any longer, but he said there was no reason to “panic,” according to Russian state news agency Tass.