DISINFO: In 15 years Ukraine could stop paying pensions to its citizens
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian government is not hiding that current 40-45 years-old Ukrainians should not count on pension accruals. Earlier, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal announced that in 15 years Ukraine could stop paying pensions to its citizens. According to the experts, Ukrainian authorities might stop paying pensions much earlier, while Prime Minister’s statements represent an actual call to Ukrainians to “save money for retirement”, rather than hope for state support.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about economic difficulties in Ukraine, presenting it as a disintegrating country that is ready to abandon its citizens. This disinformation claim attempts to misconstrue the words of the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal. While speaking to the students of the Lviv Polytechnic National University, he said that if the existing pension system is preserved, it will become impossible to pay pensions in 15 years. However, in no way did he imply that the state will stop paying pensions to its citizens. On the contrary, during his speech, he announced pension reform, which would introduce a funded pension system in addition to the existing solidarity one. Read further debunking by The Insider here. Read similar cases claiming that in Ukraine, pensioners freeze without Russian gas, that cold and hungry winter awaits Ukraine, a hunger riot broke out in Odesa and that the Ukrainian economy will not survive without Russia.