The revenues of energy are finite and temporary. They should be used to build up the country infrastructure (trains...) and public services, improve public housing, etc, so as to prepare Russia for the coming crunch.

It is a unique opportunity, it won't happen again, and they are doing absolutely nothing about it. Winter games in Sochi ? Come on ! They behave as if oil and gas would flow for ever.

This point was made obvious last time I tried to get to Sheremetevo (sp?) airport from Moscow's center : the traffic jams were horrendous, public transportation in the same state as 10 years ago, ie not as good as in the Soviet times.