The Russian Government is taking good care of its retirees. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was brutally honest with pensioners in Crimea last May: “There is no money, but cheer up!” he said to an angry elderly woman asking that her pension be indexed to inflation (as the authorities had vowed to do after annexation). Clearly unable to make good on their promises, the authorities instead decided to make a one-time payment next year.In another memorable statement, Medvedev explained the government’s reasoning:
Under current economic conditions, a one-time payment would be better; one can buy something for a holiday celebration, do something …read more
Source: The American Interest