"It is possible to switch completely to gas of our own extraction, but only if we will work hard in this direction, not the way it was last year. We were told that Ukraine increased its extraction in 2017. This is true, but with such a small growth rate of our own extraction, we will be able to meet the demand only in 2030. Not earlier.It is therefore too early to talk about the abandonment of imported gas, and the prime minister should not sow false hopes.

If this year we will increase extraction by 1 billion cubic meters, in 2019 - by 2 billion, and at 2020 - by 3 billion, and at the same we will manage to reduce consumption, then it's quite realistic to go for self-sufficiency until 2021-2022.And then it will be possible to raise the issue of lowering the price of gas. Now, there is no need to speak about the reduction of the cost of gas, the reason is simple: a high price for gas is necessary to invest in expansion of gas extraction, said Gonchar. According to him, Ukraine could reduce its gas consumption to 27 billion cubic meters per year.

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