“In 2018, Ukraine imported over 10 million cubic meters of natural gas worth around 3 million dollars. So, the average price is 300 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters. For December 1, 2018, the average price of imported natural gas exceeded 339 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, which is almost 3 times more than the corresponding indicators in neighboring countries, such as Belarus. In 2018, as in 2017, it was imported solely from Europe. However, it is not a secret that the so-called European gas is almost entirely Russian, but it comes through intermediaries with the increased price,” Vadim Rabinovich, the founder of the Opposition platform – For Life says.
“Switzerland has supplied us with gas. Where did Switzerland get this gas?? And we are so crazy that we openly say that they got off the Russian oil. They buy gas from Russia, run it through the territory, impose 100 extra dollars on it, which we do not have to pay and declare it European gas and achievement of revolution,” he added.
Viktor Medvedchuk, the Chairman of political council of the Opposition platform – For Life believes that the only solution that will provide the population and the real sector of country's economy with cheap gas is the return to direct supplies from the Russian Federation.
“In these conditions, Ukraine needs to move away from the externally imposed gas strategy that undermines the energy independence of the country and leads to the impoverishment of people. To be guided not by geopolitical expediency, but by pragmatism and interests of the national economy - that's the principle of real people's power that should be put on the first place. It is in the interests of Ukraine and its citizens to return to the practice of direct purchases of gas from Russian Gazprom, shaking off the intermediaries and thus providing direct, cheaper supplies of gas from the Russian Federation, in order to restore economic potential and social justice in the country,” he said.