Throughout 5 years Ukraine must boost production of domestic gas by 7 billion cubic meters, thereby enabling the country to refuse from imported gas and become an energy independent state. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman on opening a conference call with the heads of local executive bodies of social protection dedicated to considering the problematics of housing subsidies on Monday.

"Our objective for 5 years to come to increase [gas volumes – ed.] by 7 billion cubic meters is absolutely real, it’s our domestic production. After 5 years we should get complete energy independence", said Volodymyr Groysman.

The Head of Government reminded that the previous week he had visited Shebelinkagasvydobuvannya Gas Production Division. According to him, state-owned enterprises of oil and gas industry are reviving.

"We can produce sufficient volume of electricity, we can produce the necessary amount of gas, and we can, due to energy efficiency, reduce consumption and become an energy efficient country. As a result we will be able to abandon the imported gas, and moreover, to completely get rid of energy dependence", he said.

The Prime Minister reminded the contract signed in 2009, in which there had been fixed the price of gas US$ 450 and a principle of "take or don’t take, but pay" as well as ‘Kharkiv agreements’ to ensure the implementation of this contract when the presence of “the occupier’s fleet” had been prolonged for the discount of US$100 for gas.

"It won’t happen again. We will step up our economic power, our energy independence, and each copeck we’ll receive to the State budget will be directed to support the Ukrainian citizens", said Volodymyr Groysman.