On Tuesday President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan delivered that country’s equivalent of America’s “State of the Union” speech. During his address, Nazarbayev cited his country’s extreme weather in delivering a plea for people from around the world to come to his nation.

Reports Reuters:

“Well today it’s only -30 C (-22 F). It only strengthens our spirit,” Nazarbayev, in power for 20 years, told diplomats at his lavish marble-and-turquoise presidential palace.

“This city is so sterile. Even germs can’t survive in this weather. So we can enjoy living long lives here. Well, maybe not as long as those of mammoths, but still quite long.”

No comment.