MOSCOW, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Central Bank on Friday lowered its key interest rate for a second time in a row, shedding 2 percentage points from 20 to 18 percent.

"The current inflationary pressure, including sustained pressure, is decreasing faster than previously predicted. Domestic demand growth is slowing down," the bank said in a statement.

It added that further decisions on the key rate will be made depending on the stability of the slowdown in inflation and the dynamics of inflation expectations.

Meanwhile, the bank lowered its estimate for Russia's inflation in 2025 from 7-8 to 6-7 percent.

In June, the bank cut the key rate from 21 to 20 percent, the first time since last October. ■