Groysman estimates losses from transport blockade at 1% of GDP

15:44, 19.06.2017 1 min read

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said Ukraine has lost 1% of GDP from the unauthorized blockade of uncontrolled territories in Donetsk and Luhansk region, and said it is important not to allow repetition of such attempts, including blockade of rail transportation from Russia.

"As a result of the blockade Ukraine lost 1% of its GDP. It is hundreds of millions of hryvnias, billions of hryvnias that could be paid as wages, could further strengthen the national currency..." the prime minister said at a conference call on the preparations for the winter in Kyiv on Monday.

He stressed that the blockade resulted in the loss of control over all the assets in the territories beyond government control. And now the money previously used to pay taxes to Ukraine's budget, will be used to support the illegal armed groups activities, the premier added.