Zelensky Has Banned the Supply of Electricity from Russia

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky approved amendments to the law "On the Electricity Market" prohibiting the import of electricity from Russia under bilateral agreements. The press service of the Head of State noted that the government has the right to lift this ban to prevent emergencies in the unified energy system of Ukraine. It is also reported that in case of strong fluctuations of prices within the market, the country's regulator in the energy and utilities sectors will be able to set maximum prices for a day. Import of electricity from Russia The Ukrainian authorities stopped the purchase of electricity from Russia back in 2015. The import resumed only in September currently. Then the Rada allowed purchases from Russia and Belarus under bilateral agreements. Afterwards, Naftogaz Ukrainy started importing from Belenergo under a long-term contract. And on December 4, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law banning the import of electricity from Russia under bilateral agreements. Since July, a new model of the electricity market began to operate in Ukraine. The state has ceased to be the only buyer and seller, and prices have become independent. Banning reasons According to the political scientist, vice president of the Development Fund for Contemporary Diplomacy Dmitry Perlin, the ban on electricity purchase from Russia is a measure of protection for its own producers. As to him, the population of Ukraine is decreasing, industrial production is declining and as a result, the domestic market is shrinking. "In a situation where Ukraine is not actually able to export electricity, it has to search for a sales market within its own country," said an expert on Sputnik radio. He noted that Ukrainian electricity will be more expensive than the Russian one, and the domestic consumers should be ready for price increase which will affect both the population and enterprises.