Dynamics of balance of payments of Ukraine (USD mln)
NBU
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal warns representatives of the fuel business against abuses in the market.
“Denis Shmihal stressed that due to the destruction of the oil refining infrastructure and oil storage facilities by the Russian aggressor, a shortage of fuel arose in Ukraine. The authorities represented by the Cabinet of Ministers, all central executive authorities, customs and border services fully support and help businesses to overcome this crisis in the fuel market. In particular, the state has already reduced VAT from 20% to 7% on gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied gas and agreed on a zero excise rate for these items,” the government’s press service said following an online meeting between the prime minister and representatives of the fuel business.
Schmihal also said that he had negotiations on the liberalization of logistics routes with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“The European Union has introduced the so-called “corridors of solidarity” for Ukraine. A similar tool worked during a pandemic inside Europe, when vaccines and medicines were delivered. The authorities are doing and are ready to do everything necessary to give businesses the opportunity to import fuel into the country. At checkpoints, automobile and rail transport with fuel is given absolute priority. We are also negotiating other supply routes to expand our logistical capabilities,” the prime minister added.
The State Border Service also noted that vehicles with fuel pass the border from the Ukrainian side without queues.
Also, First Vice Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko noted that the number of fuel trucks crossing the border every day has grown by almost a third compared to the beginning of May.
“Representatives of the fuel business, for their part, noted the high level of cooperation with the government and noted the importance of joint communication on the situation that is currently happening on the market,” the message says.
During a conversation with market participants, the head of government stressed that the main task is for people to have fuel and for there to be no abuses in the market. According to him, the state will respond to such manifestations in wartime.
Following the meeting, Shmyhal gave the task to the Ministry of Economy, together with the Ministry of Energy and the relevant association, to work out proposals to overcome the crisis in the oil market and eliminate the shortage of fuel.
The volume of electricity exports from Ukraine to the European Union can replace approximately 17% of the Russian gas consumed by European countries, the Ministry of Energy believes.
“According to our estimates, electricity from Ukraine can replace approximately 17% of Russian gas exported to the EU,” Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Mykola Kolesnyk said during a speech at the 25th Gazterm-2022 conference held in Poland on May 16-17.
According to the ministry, Ukraine submitted its proposals to the European strategy REpowerEU, which provide for practical steps to use the export capacity of the Ukrainian energy system.
“The new REpowerEU strategy should provide clear solutions in three aspects: how to replace Russian energy, how to end Russian control over energy assets in Europe, and how to ensure that this situation does not happen again,” the official said.
At the same time, the deputy minister emphasized the need for decisive action by the governments of European states regarding the complete rejection of Russian energy sources, noting that Ukraine remains a reliable partner of Europe in the energy sector and is ready to make a significant contribution to the reliability of natural gas supplies to European countries.
In particular, he drew attention to the possibility for European companies to use half of the capacity of Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities (about 15 billion cubic meters) for seasonal or strategic gas reserves, which Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko announced in early May.
As reported, the Ukrainian government plans to resume the operation of additional transmission lines with Poland for the export of Ukrainian nuclear energy.
Foreign direct investments in the economy of Ukraine in the iii quarter of 2021 (operations, $ million)
NBU