REUTERS
This is about US$2.9 billion, as well as US$7.2 billion in guaranteed revenue from gas transit under the contract with Gazprom.
Executive Director of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine Yuriy Vitrenko offers the country's leadership to distribute gas transit revenue, as well as US$2.9 billion received from Russia's Gazprom under the Stockholm Arbitration's award, including his bonuses, among all Ukrainians.
"In mid-January, I invited the political leadership to give my bonuses directly to Ukrainians, for the sake of whom I had achieved such extraordinary results. At the same time, I have noticed it would be unfair and actually insignificant if only my honestly earned funds were evenly distributed between all citizens of Ukraine, while 99.75% of the funds earned primarily through my work would be distributed by politicians and officials not equally, but as they wish," he wrote on Facebook on February 11.
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According to Vitrenko, this is about US$2.9 billion, as well as US$7.2 billion in guaranteed revenue from gas transit under the contract with Gazprom. The total amount is US$10.1 billion.
"This is about UAH 6,000 [US$245] per capita, or more than UAH 16,000 [US$653] per household. It is very important to ensure the effective use of this money by Ukrainians. It would also be logical and fair to associate these payments with the gas sector. Therefore, restrictions are needed, such as 'on energy efficiency costs,'" he added.
In his opinion, such expenses are not always a priority. But in this way, Ukrainian families will have special funds for this. As an example, he suggested distributing certificates that Ukrainians may exchange for goods in an online store that will sell only goods to increase energy efficiency. Such goods may include materials for thermal insulation of premises, new boilers with high efficiency, etc.
"Legislative changes will be needed to implement this initiative, in particular, by making Naftogaz's relevant revenue and my bonuses, which will be paid to people, as well as income of ordinary Ukrainians who receive this money exempt from taxation," he said.