WASHINGTON -- Senior leaders of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) met with representatives from Russia’s legislative branch here Sept. 24 to discuss the United States’ veterans benefits system.
"America's history of caring for its military veterans is second to none," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “VA is pleased to share information about our veterans programs with representatives of the Russian legislature.”
Russia’s State Duma, similar to the U.S. House of Representatives, is exploring ways to improve benefits for Russian military veterans. VA officials provided information about its health care, compensation, pension and burial programs, as well as a description of how veterans and their dependents apply for those benefits.
Yegor K. Ligachev, Deputy Chairman of the Duma’s Committee on Veterans Affairs, was accompanied by Duma members Vice Admiral Valeri F. Dorogin and Ivan V. Zakharov, along with staff member Veronika A. Kalganova. Also attending were Second Secretary Vladlen V. Yepifanov, Third Secretary Sergei V. Tagashov and staff member Anton V. Kryazhev from the Russian embassy in Washington.
In recent months, VA has shared information about its programs with representatives of many countries, including the Czech Republic, China, Jordan, Japan, Romania, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
