MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin promised Russians rapid improvements in their living conditions as he kicked off his annual state of the nation address on Wednesday.
“We cannot wait, the situation must change for the better now,” Putin said. “Within this year (Russians) should feel changes for the better.”
The Russian leader announced several policies that he said would boost living standards, while addressing the country’s declining birth rate.
These included new child benefits and reduced taxes for large families.
“We did and will do everything for the strengthening of family values,” he said.
“The incomes of Russian families should of course rise,” he said.
“The principles should be — the more children, the less taxes,” Putin said, adding that Russia is going through a “difficult stage” in demography. – AFP
