Statecraft

Another Awkward Moment: Russia's Medvedev Mocked Over Remarks To Struggling Teachers

President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials often seem to sugarcoat the country's economic troubles, reassuring citizens that better times are just around the corner or cherry-picking statistics to paint a prettier picture. 
 
Dmitry Medvedev, not so much. The prime minister has repeatedly opened himself up for anger and mockery with his stark comments about the economy -- and a style of delivery that can come across as uncaring or even offensive to pensioners, teachers, and other Russians struggling to get by.
 
In less than three months, Medvedev has told Crimeans "there's just no money" to raise pensions, said Russia could be headed into an economic "tailspin," and suggested that schoolteachers ought to pick another profession -- or find a source of cash on the side -- if they want to make a decent living.