The blockade in energy and trade sectors is expected to curb growth of the economy and lies within the personal liability of its initiators. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman stated during the meeting of the Regional Development Council under the chairmanship of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.

"The ongoing blockade was not in the interests of Ukraine, this blockade was in the interests of Russia. The blockade was against the Ukrainians and against our country. This blockade is expected to cause economic slowdown and, of course, there are individuals who should bear personal responsibility for that", said Volodymyr Groysman, adding it is the Government that must mitigate negative consequences on the economy of actions of the leaders of the blockade.

"When we have to take unpopular decisions to restore development of the economy, it will be our objective, we must elaborate measures to minimize the negative impact. We are to be concerned about the ways to avoid rotating power cuts in the country. We are responsible for providing heating to households", urged the Head of Government.

In this regard, he stressed the importance of demonstrating leadership by politicians. "It’s time when we must develop an open attitude towards Ukrainians, the State", he stressed.

The Prime Minister also commented on the decision of local councils that supported trade and energy blockade.

"Fellows, has anybody of you at least approximately analyzed the impact of the blockade, held a discussion so that to get to people and say, "These are the pros from the blockade, and those are the cons, and we assume responsibility for all negative consequences?" No, none of you has", he stressed.

None of the representatives of the local councils has also appealed to the Prime Minister to clarify and ponder on the consequences of the blockade, said the Head of Government.

He noted that the country is facing a number of challenges and authorities of all levels must work together to cope with them. "20 years of independence have proved that only real leadership and faith in what we do will lead us to victory. We must be implementing the social contract, we must be honest to the people. We must not just talk about our intentions, but introduce them as well", urged Volodymyr Groysman.

Apart from that, the Prime Minister stressed that the blockade had been organized in that period when the country demonstrated an ability to lift itself out of the difficulties it had been suffering from for decades.