External influence on financial and economic situation in Russia is felt, but it's minimal - Medvedev
YOSHKAR-OLA. June 24 (Interfax) - The attempts to exert external influence on Russia are impacting the difficult financial and economic situation in Russia, but the role of this factor is minimal, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
During a meeting with regional activists of United Russia in Yoshkar-Ola, Medvedev said that "the financial situation in the country is not very easy."
"It's due to our internal restrictions, the global economic situation, the consequences of the crisis, and a lot of different reasons. Frankly, these are attempts to influence our country, but [this influence] is minimal," he said.
Responding to a question about giving additional powers to local self-government bodies, Medvedev said: "I don't know yet how we can find additional funds to give local-self government bodies."
"Now I don't have a universal answer on the additional budget sources that could be given to local self-government bodies. But I understand that we will have to look for them anyway. And we will do it," he said.
Medvedev said he cannot promise that "a specific tax will be taken and given to local self-government bodies."
"However, I will not deny that we discussed these issues, including the issue of sources of revenue that should go to the regions and municipalities, yesterday and the day before yesterday," he said.