Yanukovych: Most Ukrainians have not yet felt improvement in their lives

KHARKIV – A rise in wages and pensions should be based on the real growth of the economy, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said.

"This year we saw an increase of over 15% in the average wage in Ukraine with virtually zero inflation. So we saw real growth in the income of people and on this basis, of course, improvement in their lives. But most citizens have not yet felt it. Why? Because a significant period of time has not yet passed... People have not yet felt [improvement in their lives]. This suggests that we need to continue our policy. Our policy should not be short-term," he said at a meeting with activists of Kharkiv region on Wednesday.

He also noted that an increase in wages and pensions should be based on economic growth.

"Social initiatives that laid the foundation for the growth of pensions and wages should in the short term be included in state social policy, but it can only be based on real economic growth," Yanukovych said.