OREANDA-NEWS. Ukraine opposes the import of electricity from Russia and Belarus, but was forced to buy it because of the threat of rolling blackouts. This was stated by the Acting Minister of Energy Yuriy Vitrenko.

He explained, that it is necessary to disconnect from the energy system of the Russian Federation and Belarus and join the European one to stop this process. «Ukraine is critically dependent on Russia and Belarus in this matter», said Vitrenko.

Speaking at the forum «Ukraine.30», he also said, that Kiev was forced to resume the import of electricity from neighboring countries due to the shortage, that occurred during the frost. «There was emergency aid and imports from Belarus, even a few days from the Russian Federation. There was a threat of rolling blackouts», Vitrenko added.

According to him, the Ukrainian authorities are working to unite with the energy system of the European Union now. It is planned to implement this task by 2023. The head of the «Ukrenergo» Vladimir Kudritsky said, that Kiev was surprised after the breakdown of 13 power units of thermal power plants in the country and the depletion of coal reserves. In these conditions, according to Kudritsky, it would be «incorrect» to refuse to import energy from the Russian Federation.