Zelenskyy: this winter will be the most difficult one since independence, but prices should not go up

KATERYNA TYSCHENKO - WEDNESDAY, 8 JUNE 2022, 00:25

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has demanded that the government and local authorities refrain from raising gas and electricity as well as heating and hot water charges this winter.

Source: address by the President

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I would like to stress separately that I have set a very specific task for the government - to do everything possible to ensure that gas and electricity prices do not change in the coming heating season as well. This is already difficult for people because of the war. This [I.e., no change] will be ensured.

Local authorities are responsible for tariffs for heating and hot water. And at a local level, the same rate stability should be ensured for the winter of 2022-23 as well".

Details: Zelenskyy said the government was setting up a headquarters to prepare for the next heating season.

"This decision was taken following a meeting with representatives of the government and our largest state-owned energy companies and regulators. The Prime Minister of Ukraine, the Ministers of Energy and Economy, the Minister of Community and Territorial Development, the heads of Naftogaz, Ukrenergo, Energoatom and the National Energy Regulatory Commission. A special deputy head from the President's Office was also present," he said.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Whatever the occupiers have planned for themselves, we must prepare for this coming winter - in our state, in our land, for all our citizens."

"Under the conditions we now have because of Russian aggression, because of this war, this will indeed be the most difficult winter in all the years of independence. But it's OK, we have to go through it so that our people can feel that the state is functioning normally. And so it will be."

More details: Zelenskyy said that during this time Ukraine will not sell gas and coal abroad, and all domestic production will be directed towards domestic needs.

At the same time, the authorities are doing everything to increase electricity export opportunities, the President stressed.