The Government cannot reduce gas prices for Ukrainians despite all the campaign promises as its market price is one of the conditions of Ukraine’s cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, as Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev said on air of 5 TV channel on March 2.
Kobolyev explained that despite the promises of the presidential candidates, they cannot lower gas prices, the President does not have such power. It will not happen even after the parliamentary elections, according to Naftogaz CEO.
“In my opinion, gas prices reduction is impossible as this (market gas prices, - ed.) is the main condition of the cooperation with the IMF. If someone thinks he can change the terms, renegotiate… Tymoshenko also agreed on gas prices with the IMF. Therefore I think there will be no gas prices reduction, it will make our essential cooperation with the international partners impossible. If some parts of the population don’t have enough means to pay for gas, the system of monetizes subsidies is the best option, as the experience of all the western states has shown,” Kobolyev said.
According to him, it will be more profitable for the people to receive subsidies, save gas and manage the savings.
As it was reported, Naftogaz prolongs a two-million contract with Kobolyev.
In addition, Hague Tribunal made a positive decision in the case Naftogaz against Russia for lost assets as a result of Crimea’s annexation.
