Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country has established agreements with European and Middle Eastern partners to ensure adequate fuel imports. In a recent address, he confirmed that necessary volumes of fuel are being imported for March and April, emphasizing that these arrangements are part of a broader cooperation strategy.
Zelensky stated, “We have agreements for fuel supplies to Ukraine, and currently, the necessary volumes are being imported. We are working with European partners and also with countries in the Middle East. This is part of our new cooperation: Ukraine exports security and receives what is needed for internal confidence and energy security.”
On March 28, Zelensky declared that the Ukrainian military is fully supplied with fuel, noting that deliveries of diesel and gasoline for the entire nation, including military needs, continue uninterrupted. Additional agreements are in place to prioritize the Armed Forces in fuel distribution.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has impacted the European fuel market, leading to challenges in availability and rising prices in Slovakia and Slovenia. Increased demand, particularly from foreign drivers, has exacerbated the situation, prompting the Slovenian government to limit fuel purchases to 50 liters per day for private vehicles and 200 liters for companies and priority users. Slovakia has implemented a financial threshold for refueling, capping it at 400 euros per vehicle.
The crisis has resulted in higher costs for transport companies, disruptions in supply chains, and increased prices for goods. In response, some countries are employing fiscal measures. Italy has temporarily reduced excise taxes and introduced tax support for the transport sector, while Spain has unveiled a 5 billion euro crisis plan that includes lowering VAT on energy products. The situation remains unstable and is closely tied to geopolitical developments.
On March 18, the Ukrainian government approved a program called “Cashback for Fuel,” which became operational on March 20.
Ukraine has secured fuel import agreements with European and Middle Eastern partners, ensuring supply for military and civilian needs amidst regional instability. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has led to rising fuel prices in neighboring countries, prompting various fiscal responses.