Zelensky Adviser on January Gas Prices: What the F*ck!

Presidential adviser Ihor Novikov explained who is to blame for inflated gas prices for households.

Ukrainian consumers may receive January bills with gas prices 1 to 2 thousand hryvnias higher than expected. This was reported by presidential adviser Ihor Novikov on his Facebook page, implying that the management of NJSC Naftogaz, which bought more expensive gas over the summer, is to blame and is "unwilling to part with it now to the detriment of itself and its bonuses".

As Novikov said, sensing the looming "zradopad" (a wave of betrayal), Naftogaz management pushed through a Cabinet of Ministers resolution of January 24 that retroactively recalculates tariffs up to 4,650 hryvnias. However, because contracts had already been concluded with other market participants, this may not be reflected in the bills.

Ihor Novikov
adviser to the President of Ukraine

In 2019, at the initiative of NJSC Naftogaz, a resolution was adopted that set the procedure for forming the gas price for the first quarter of 2020 for all of us. As a result, a price of 6,600 hryvnias was set, while the market price was more than 1,000 hryvnias lower. The reason for this, for Naftogaz, was that it had large volumes of expensive gas bought earlier in the summer on its balance sheet. Well, and accordingly, the desire to part with it without harming itself and its bonuses. Such simple futurology. Sensing the coming zradopad, Naftogaz management (fired up by the frightened prime minister and energy minister) pushed through a Cabinet resolution of January 24, which RETROACTIVELY (from January 1) recalculates the mega-profits. Translating: the resolution now says 4,650 hryvnias, and in the bills, it depends on luck. So now we have been left at the mercy of other market players, with whom contracts ALREADY have been concluded, and who can perfectly legally charge us 6,913 hryvnias for January.

According to the presidential adviser, resolving the situation requires building up the competencies of the Presidential Office to influence NJSC Naftogaz, as well as "ending palace games" and "seeking a compromise with the market". Novikov also called on society to name the "heroes" responsible for consumers receiving bills with inflated prices, from Naftogaz to the relevant ministry.

“I deliberately staked my reputation by going into the building on Bankova. And I will be there ̶u̶n̶t̶i̶l̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶y̶ ̶d̶r̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶ until victory. Not keeping silent, not hiding behind anonymous channels or Joker, but openly doing everything in my power so that Ukraine becomes at least a little bit better,” wrote Ihor Novikov.

Earlier, Naftogaz head Andriy Kobolev promised that due to the warm winter, gas prices for households would turn out lower than expected, and the overpayment would be refunded at the end of the heating season. 

“Such interest-free lending from thrice-heroes of the energy sector,” — Novikov commented on this statement.

According to Novikov's comments under his post, he has prepared a memo for the president on crimes that pose a threat to energy security and intends to hand it to Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, January 29.