At a meeting with Dmitry Aristov, who leads the Federal Executive Office, Vladimir Putin emphasized that the level of salaries and the overall well-being of Russian citizens must rise. The Kremlin reported this message as part of the president’s ongoing agenda to address financial resilience among the population.
Putin characterized the current struggles faced by many Russians as a systemic issue, noting that broad segments of society are in debt, unable to service loans, and experiencing delayed payments for housing and utility bills. He described these conditions as a “state problem” and asserted that people should not endure such life circumstances. The clarification came as part of a broader discussion on living standards and the social contract between the state and its residents.
He continued by linking wage growth to overall well-being, stating that higher pay levels can lift living standards across the country. While the labor market is presently stable, the president urged continuous attention to the dynamics of earnings and living costs, underscoring the importance of sustained policies that support wage growth and job security. The emphasis was on maintaining momentum rather than allowing gains to stall.
During remarks on August 22, at the Strategic Development and National Projects Council, Putin addressed the salaries of public sector workers and stressed the need to maintain the pace of compensation increases for state employees. He argued that the real incomes of Russians should grow within the economy of each federal subject, reflecting regional disparities and the goal of raising earnings broadly. The call was for consistent improvement in public and private sector compensation as part of a cohesive national strategy. [Attribution: Kremlin press service]
Earlier statements from the president indicated a target for real wage growth this year, with projections set at a 3-5 percent increase. The focus on wage dynamics remains a central plank of the administration’s economic policy, intended to translate into tangible gains for households across the country. [Attribution: Kremlin press service]