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The Ukrainian government is preparing new support programs for citizens, including additional payments for pensioners and compensation for fuel costs.
This was announced by Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram.
“We agreed with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and ministers Oleksii Sobolev and Denys Uliutin to prepare several support programs for Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said.
₴1,500 payments for pensioners
According to the president, the Ministry of Social Policy must prepare a program for special additional payments in April for Ukrainian pensioners and other groups receiving social assistance.
At least 13 million Ukrainians are expected to receive the payment, which will amount to ₴1,500.
“The funds must reach people without any bureaucracy and will be credited automatically to those whose income level indicates they need support,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Fuel cashback program
The Ministries of Economy and Energy were also instructed to prepare a support program for Ukrainians facing increased pressure due to instability in the fuel market, caused by the situation around Iran and reduced global oil supplies.
The program will apply to consumers of diesel, gasoline and automotive gas in Ukraine and will operate through a cashback system, allowing people to partially compensate their fuel expenses.
Zelenskyy added that he had instructed Svyrydenko to finalize the program details within the next couple of days and present them to the public.
Fuel price surge in Ukraine
Fuel prices in Ukraine have recently started rising amid turbulence in global energy markets following a military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran.
At one point, oil prices climbed to $100 per barrel, before slightly declining. Currently, Brent crude is trading at about $96 per barrel.
Experts note that even after a drop of about 20%, oil prices remain roughly 20% higher than before the Middle East crisis began.
Against this backdrop, fuel prices at Ukrainian filling stations have begun to increase.
On March 5, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine gave market participants three days to explain the significant price hikes.
Amid the fuel market situation, the head of the committee, Pavlo Kyrylenko, was summoned to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on March 11.
Kyrylenko said one of the key factors behind rising fuel prices was the shutdown of Ukraine’s largest oil refinery, along with several other contributing reasons.
According to him, demand for A-95 gasoline increased by 40–70%, while demand for diesel fuel rose by 60–140%.
