Experts defend idea of imposing duties on diesel, LPG imports from Russia

At the same time, the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade is set to consider inappropriate initiating an anti-subsidy investigation into the Russian imports of diesel fuel and LPG.

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PJSC Ukrtatnafta, PJSC Ukrnafta and JSC Ukrgasdobycha insist on introducing duties on Russian diesel fuel and LPG.

Companies say the move will help Ukraine take another step towards energy independence from the Russian Federation, TSN news service reported.

Naftogaz notes that more than 40% of diesel fuel sold at Ukrainian gas stations has been made in Russia, which supports its producers in capturing foreign markets, which in turn poses a threat to Ukraine.

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"Ukrainian diesel fuel is seen nowhere in Russia. But in Ukraine, on the contrary, the volume of Russian fuel is increasing annually. Until 2017, relatively little volumes of diesel got  to Ukraine from Russia," says energy expert Igor Tyshkevich.

Ukrainian oil producers and processing companies complained about Russia's actions with the Antimonopoly Committee as they are unable to fairly compete. To resolve the issue, they proposed that the Committee introduce 8.46% duty on diesel fuel imports from Russia. By 2024, it is offered to have increased it to more than 25%.

At the same time, according to a draft decision of the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade, set to be approved on Monday, June 22, and seen by UNIAN, initiating an anti-subsidy investigation into the Russian imports of diesel fuel and LPG will be recognized inappropriate.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine’s energy ministry is considering imposing monthly quotas for imports of diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Russia aiming to reduce dependence from a single supplier.

At the same time, Ukrainian oil refineries remain underloaded, which affects the final cost of fuel for consumers.

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