At the vast skating rink in Moscow's Gorky Park, Russians say they're looking forward to a 2015 that will be as smooth as the ice, despite the country's economic and political difficulties. The ruble has sunk, tensions with the West are up, but the troubles seem to have produced a surge in national pride, AP reported. "Russians are a nation of optimists," said Ivan Kasyanov, a skater in his 20s. "The worse things get, the better we develop." Kasyanov brushed off concerns about the stunning decline of the rublewhich lost about half of its value against Western currencies in 20 and the Western sanctions imposed over Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. He doubts these factors would deal a serious blow to an economy that in recent years has soared on oil and gas income. -- SPA 20:38 LOCAL TIME 17:38 GMT تغريد
