MOSCOW- Economic growth is the necessary base for solving social issues in Russia and for increasing households' incomes, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, at times when political tensions are pose a threat to living standards.

Putin said the central bank and the government should coordinate their actions to curb inflation.

Inflation in Russia has reached its highest since early 2016 and shows little signs of slowing, boosted by the falling rouble that is taking a hit from fears that Russia could invade Ukraine.

(Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya; Writing by Andrey Ostroukh; editing by John Stonestreet) ((andrey.ostroukh@thomsonreuters.com;))