Ukraine spent $54 bn on purchase of Russian gas in 2009-2013

Chairman of gas producer PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannya Oleh Prokhorenko said this at the hearings of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Fuel and Energy Complex, Nuclear Policy and Nuclear Safety, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Ukraine spent USD 54 billion on the purchase of Russian gas in 2009-2013. We just threw away this money. Today, we ask to invest USD 3 billion in our own production. Of this sum, USD 600 million is expected to be spent on purchase and modernization of machine tools, while another USD 500 million is expected to be spent on drilling operations. We will pay these funds to local gas producers," Prokhorenko said.

According to him, Russia has purchased 281 drilling rigs only for the last four years, getting Ukrainian money.

"While Russia has modernized their production, we have zero," Prokhorenko noted.

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