On Wednesday Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman held a meeting with Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Amos J. Hochstein. The Parties discussed the steps taken by the Government to reform the energy sector and the intensification of cooperation in this direction.

The Prime Minister informed that the Government takes the necessary decisions to achieve energy efficiency and energy independence. Also, the Government is resolute to destroy any corruption schemes in this area.

Volodymyr Groysman stressed that energy independence should be among core priorities of the country, especially when the country was facing Russian military aggression. "I have always said that Russia didn’t just send its weapons and tanks, we got economic, informational and energetic aggression. Therefore, our task is absolutely clear - to efficiently consume and to maximally grow the domestic energy production of both conventional and alternative resources", he stressed.

In this framework greater collaboration between Ukraine and the United States is of a strategic importance, he said. "I fully support the maximum intensification of our interaction along all possible directions to achieve the goal – fast and effective energy independence of our State", said Volodymyr Groysman.

The Prime Minister also informed that day the Government had announced the decision to start the privatization of PJSC Odessa Portside Plant. "We’ve found correct solutions that will allow us to ensure holding completely transparent, open and competitive privatization. We are committed to follow this way and will represent an alternative to the populists for the Ukrainian society, and the alternative implies professional, fair and correct decisions," he stressed.

Apart from that, the Head of Government singled out the need for institutional strengthening of the NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine and the restructuring of the company.

Volodymyr Groysman separately concerned the idea of creating an Energy Efficiency Fund. "This can be rather good public tool to improve energy efficiency of Ukraine", said the Prime Minister.

Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, U.S. Department of State, welcomed the adoption of the Government resolution on the establishment of a market- based gas price, as well as intentions about the conduct of the public privatization of state-owned enterprises. "Ukraine has made significant progress in energy issues. I was watching with admiration at the achievements the Government have made over the last few weeks," he said.

Amos Hochstein also highlighted that it is crucial to acquire energy independence for the country, to curb corruption in this sector and to ensure effective governance in the energy domain. In response, the United States will support Ukraine on the way of transformations in the energy sector.