an insulting term that has become associated with the lackluster final years of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in the 1970s and early 1980s, but is now increasingly being used to describe Putin. Despite numerous government promises, Russia has still not developed a modern pension savings system, improved regulations to establish a competitive financial market like Dubai, or invested in its deteriorating infrastructure. With the burden of substantial public sector salary increases prior to the recent presidential election, the Russian government's latest budget plans to spend $620 billion by 2020 on military re-equipment, while reducing spending on infrastructure and education. These priorities have frustrated business leaders who are eager for enhancements to the outdated transportation system. Despite Putin's repeated commitments to reduce the economy's reliance on oil and gas exports, the oil price required by the Kremlin to balance its budget has more than doubled in the last five years to $110. Medvedev's plan to improve relations with the United States in foreign policy has not progressed as hoped. Instead, Moscow has focused on issues such as Syria and prioritized forming a free trade area with Belarus and Kazakhstan. Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasizes Russia's desire to be an independent and attractive center for neighboring nations, stating that Russia wants to maintain its own identity rather than mimic the West. The treatment of Pussy Riot, a punk feminist band that protested in a Moscow cathedral, highlights the growing divide between Russia and the West, as three members were jailed for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred". Putin stated that the women received a punishment that he believed was deserved due to their performance being seen as vulgar group sex that undermined Russia's moral values. Western governments and human rights organizations were appalled by the severe punishment given to Pussy Riot. However, some analysts believe that the harsh treatment of the group may indicate a deeper issue of Kremlin insecurity in the face of growing discontent among the population. Despite a decrease in street protests in Moscow, political experts suggest that the educated urban population is becoming more dissatisfied with Putin's leadership. Yekaterina Samutsevich, a former member of Pussy Riot, expressed her prediction for Russia's future under Putin while in a small McDonald's in the town of Krasnogorsk, far from the grandeur of Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence. She believes that the system is deteriorating, becoming more repressive, and that those in power are behaving erratically out of fear. Samutsevich warned that Russia could face a collapse similar to the Soviet Union. It is yet to be determined if the image of a strong and stable great power presented by Putin or the apocalyptic forecast of the young punk rocker will come true. However, for now, the people and business elite of Russia are showing their opinions through their actions. Putin is not coming out as the victor.