PM Groysman says no gas price rise this heating season, insists on their fair adjustment

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman says the Cabinet does not intend to raise gas prices in the current heating season, but it is engaged in dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on further their adjustment, which should take into account the full social protection of citizens.

"I want to emphasize that during this heating season, gas prices will not be raised. We are really in dialogue with the International Monetary Fund. The review of gas prices is one of the IMF requirements. I'm talking about two things: firstly, there must be an absolutely fair approach. On the other hand, this approach should fully ensure social protection of Ukrainians. These two conditions are extremely important for subsequent decision-making," he said in an interview with one of Ukrainian TV channels Feb 8.

At the same time, the prime minister noted that negotiations with the IMF, including talks on gas prices would not go easy.

Read alsoIMF's technical mission will work in Kyiv on Feb 12-16"I can’t recall any easy negotiations in my life. They are always difficult. But it is very important that we seek understanding and compromise during talks. I'm determined to continue cooperation and committed to the quality protection of Ukrainian citizens," Groysman stressed.

As UNIAN reported earlier, according to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the government is ready to review gas prices in accordance with the requirements of the International Monetary Fund, which stipulate the pricing based on the cost of gas production and its transportation.

Read alsoPoroshenko invites Austrian companies to compete for Ukraine's GTS managementThe establishment of a market gas prices is a prerequisite for the continued cooperation between Ukraine and the IMF.

On January 24, following the meeting at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Poroshenko and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said measures were being harmonized to complete the fourth review of the cooperation program and allocation of the fifth loan tranche to Ukraine.