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Medvedev Tells Crimean Pensioners 'No Money' for Pension Increase

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev greets people as he visits the Aivazovsky National Art Gallery in Feodosiya, Crimea, May 23, 2016.

During his visit to Crimea, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was confronted by frustrated pensioners, the Meduza news website reported on Tuesday.

“What is 8,000 rubles ($120)! It's misery,” said one woman.

Medvedev noted that the problem is not only a Crimean one, but affects pensioners across the entire country and said that the government does not have enough money to increase pensions to account for the weakened ruble.

“There's just no money. When we find the money — we'll do it,” replied the prime minister before advising the crowd to stay strong and hold on.

Russian pensions were indexed in February. Pensions are usually indexed twice a year to account for inflation, but the government has refused to index pensions a second time this year.

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