"In Ukraine, the result of imperfect state regulation mechanisms and claims against one person can be the suspension of the activities of entire enterprises of critical infrastructure." - noted CEO Smart-Holding Ivan Gerasimovych.

The country's energy system, in particular the gas transportation sector, today unfortunately suffers not only from enemy shelling, but also from the actions of the authorities, which threaten its stability from within. In conditions when there is a critical shortage of gas in storage facilities, and systemic enemy attacks damage the infrastructure, it is important to support strategic enterprises, and not create additional challenges for their work. Today, energy professionals count every cubic meter of gas produced.

Naftogaz is forced to buy gas at European hubs at a price of about $600 per thousand cubic meters (excluding VAT), although on the domestic market Ukrainian companies produce and sell gas at a price of about $400. During the discussion, I agreed with my colleagues on an interesting observation, that, including with the help of foreign investments, Ukraine could increase its own gas production in order not only to provide for itself, but also to support partners in Europe. This would help weaken Russia's influence on those countries that still depend on it. However, for this we need appropriate favorable conditions for the inflow of capital and fair regulatory mechanisms that do not harm the country's economy. Recently, for example, we discussed such opportunities with our partners - British investors from Enwel Energy, whose shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange.

And they express concern, because they were ready to invest in the further development of enterprises in Ukraine, but at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, the licenses of several gas production enterprises of the Smart Energy group of companies were suspended. And this is not the first time. How can we expect investment to come in under such unstable conditions? Therefore, we continue to defend the rights of our gas business and our investors from Britain and the US, as well as the right of people to jobs to support their families.

The authorities have a tool that will unblock Ukrainian gas production without harming the sanctions mechanisms. They have used it before, so we hope that this time they will find the political will to use it for the sake of Ukraine's interests.