MOSCOW, February 21. /TASS/. According to expert estimates, total benefits for the Ukrainian budget from Russian aid of different kinds in 1991-2013 amounted to about $250 bln, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
The Russian people recognized new geopolitical realities emerged after disintegration of the USSR, the head of state noted. It recognized new independent states, Putin said. "Not merely recognized. Russia, having been in the most difficult situation at that time, helped partners in CIS, including Ukrainian colleagues, with numerous requests for material aid started coming from them right from the moment of declaring independence," the Russian leader noted.
"Our country provided such support - with respect paid to Ukraine’s dignity and sovereignty. According to expert estimates supported by a simple calculation of prices for our energy resources, preferential loans, economic and trade preferences provided by Russia to Ukraine, the total benefit of the Ukrainian budget for the period from 1991 to 2013 amounted to about $250 bln," Putin said.