"I keep explaining and telling Ukrainians and the authorities not to take this step in any case. Firstly, the fact that we already have calculations on the amount of the excise tax increase is added to the price of gasoline, but keep in mind that this is calculated taking into account the euro and dollar exchange rate against the hryvnia today, it is calculated without inflationary processes that are growing every year, and you need to understand that this is a situation as if we are living today and calculating how much fuel will cost. If we now look at the latest government initiative, which has already been registered as a draft law, we must also understand the price of LPG gas, which is now used very widely in both the economic and private sectors", Yuzhanina said.

Nardepka emphasized that if the price is raised, it will play an extremely negative role for farmers during the summer and autumn work period.

"We know that now a number of our agricultural products are either on the verge of loss or unprofitable due to world prices for a number of products that are the main ones in our country. Therefore, an increase in fuel prices will not only make farmers unprofitable, but will also increase prices for all goods and services - the basic ones that every Ukrainian citizen uses. "You should also understand that each of us uses this resource for heating, transportation, or in general in our daily lives", Yuzhanina explained, "Therefore, we have to implement the EU directive on the establishment of minimum excise tax rates after joining the European Union, and even then, in the conditions of our accession, there may be a delay of a year or more. In addition, the excise tax rate may be reduced for certain industries. Therefore, without preparing for these measures, it is impossible to simply look for resources in this direction, because the additional resource will not cover the losses that the economy and every citizen of Ukraine will suffer".

• We remind you that on March 22, the government proposed a gradual increase in the excise tax on fuel until 2028. This will bring the excise tax rates closer to the minimum level set in the EU.
• The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has registered a draft law in the Verkhovna Rada that provides for a significant increase in excise taxes on fuel.