Ukraine has reduced Russian gas purchases by eight times in 2013, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said during consideration of issue of responsibility of the government in the Verkhovna Rada on Friday, ForUm correspondent reports.

"Could anyone in 2009 think that Ukraine will be able to reduce the consumption of Russian gas? However, facts are stubborn things. This year we have purchased eight times less gas than a year ago from "Gazprom". For 2012 we reduced consumption by 12 billion cubic meters of gas," PM said.

He stressed that three years ago Ukraine paid the highest price for Russian gas in Europe. In addition, he called the gas contracts, signed by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, a betrayal of national interests.

According to him, the ultra-high price for Russian gas also led to a drop in income and complicated economic situation in the country. "Ukraine could become bankrupt," Azarov outraged.

According to him, consumption of Russian gas is significantly reduced today. "Our country is ramping up production of its own gas fields, developing shale gas production, increases production of electricity. It’s not mere lip-service," the prime minister addressed the opposition.

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