Ukraine spends $5 bln annually on servicing its debts – Groysman

Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has said that Ukraine spends $5 billion every year to service its debts borrowed by previous authorities.

"Of 45 million Ukrainians, nobody will support a change in gas prices. But we have accumulated $50 billion of external debts. Who took these funds and where they have gone - I still cannot understand. We spend $5 billion on servicing these debts every year. The funds must be returned, and obligations must be fulfilled: an increase in gas prices, the Anticorruption Court,” said Groysman during Government Question Hour meeting held in the Verkhovna Rada, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to him, the government's task is to ensure the proper servicing of external debts, the growth of the economy and support of those citizens who need assistance through the subsidy mechanism.

"But the tariffs are set not by the government. The components of tariffs and the specific of expenses are the responsibility of local authorities. Those who modernize and introduce new technologies have lower costs," said Groysman.

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