President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko believes that the agreement with Russia on the annual purchase of 50 billion cubic meters of gas threatens Ukraine’s security.
According to an UNIAN correspondent, he said this opening a session of the National Security and Defense Council on Tuesday.
According to Victor Yushchenko, it is fixed in the 10-year contracts between Naftohaz Ukrayiny NJSC and Gazprom OJSC that the Ukrainian side shall buy from Russia not less than 50 billion cubic meters of gas a year.
At the same time, the President stressed, in the “legendary” year 2008, Ukraine consumed just 62 billion cubic meters of gas, out of which 20 billion were extracted in Ukraine.
“The gas imported in the year 2008 made up 42 billion cubic meters… And from the year 2010, we have to either take 50 billion cubic meters, or pay for it”, the President said.
At the same time, Victor Yushchenko pointed out, in line with provisions of the contract, the re-export of the gas is prohibited.
Besides, since the year 2010, the Russian side does not have any obligations on volumes of gas transit through the Ukrainian territory.
