Zelensky holds NSDC meeting and announces new solutions

The president reminded that he visited the Lisova mine in Lviv region on Thursday, where two miners were killed, and expressed condolences to the relatives of the victims, the press service of the head of state reported.

"Two years ago, eight miners were killed at the Stepova mine. Recently, 17 miners were killed at the Skhidkarbon mine near Luhansk. These are all our people. Problems in the coal industry have common roots wherever they arise," the president said.

The head of state said that during the last week he had visited two places, where Ukrainians were killed. "Bullets and shells kill people on the frontline. And irresponsibility, mismanagement and corruption kill in the rear," Zelensky stressed.

The issue of the energy sector was discussed in the format of the meeting, and in two weeks appropriate decisions will be made. “The stakes are extremely high - the safety and welfare of our people,” the president noted.

Zelensky stated that during 2014-2018, coal production by Ukraine’s state enterprises had decreased by 47%. The Ukrainian economy is critically dependent on the import of energy resources, and very little has been done to obtain them from different sources.

The president reminded that one of Ukraine's commitments to the European Union was the reform of the energy sector with the demonopolization of energy markets being the key issue. Starting from July 1, the next stage of the electricity market should start.

"However, in conditions of total monopolization, there may be risks for producers, consumers and the Ukrainian economy as a whole. The international partners warn us against that," Zelensky emphasized.