President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the National Security and Defense Council with an initiative to consider the issue of electricity and gas tariffs for the population at the next meeting. The President made this statement during an interview in the framework of the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Decentralization", which is taking place in Kyiv.
"We are monitoring the situation (with tariffs - ed.). Unfortunately, we cannot interfere in all the actions of certain local authorities,” the President said, answering the journalists' question about utility tariffs and the actions of local authorities in this matter.
At the same time, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, when many issues accumulate, the central government must take measures to solve problems.
"We are primarily interested in society. We must do everything to ensure that electricity prices for people do not rise," he said, adding that much attention is being paid to this topic.
"I asked to consider this issue at the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council this week, so that, first, people understand that from August 1 there will be no surprises for society. I would also like the local authorities to understand that what we have proposed - an annual contract (an annual tariff plan with a fixed gas price - ed.) - is the best of all prices available in Europe today," noted Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Head of State added that local authorities should be more active in explaining to the population the benefits of concluding such annual contracts.
The President also stressed the need to do everything possible to avoid raising electricity tariffs for the population.
"My attitude is very simple - UAH 1.68 today (tariff for 1 kWh - ed.). I think we have a layer of the population that cannot afford to pay even UAH 1.68. That is why the National Security and Defense Council will also consider this issue and the possibility of reducing electricity prices for such segments of the population," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President also noted that some political opponents, for their own benefit, are deliberately intimidating people with a fictitious increase in utility tariffs. The Head of State assured that there would be no unpleasant surprises for the citizens.