The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, by Resolution No. 1233, established an interagency coordination headquarters to ensure the supply of petroleum products. Representatives from relevant ministries, law enforcement and regulatory agencies, state-owned companies, and major gas station chains will participate in its work. Regarding the tasks assigned to the new body, how it will operate, and whether it will be able to influence fuel market regulations, Dengi.ua reports, citing “Sudovo-Yurydychna Gazeta.”
Why Did the Government Create a Fuel Task Force?
According to the publication, the country’s uninterrupted fuel supply depends not only on the volume of available reserves but also on the ability to deliver petroleum products to consumers. In wartime, additional risks are associated with the security of oil depots and gas stations, threats to transportation routes, and the need to supply fuel to the military, the agricultural sector, and critical infrastructure.
To align the actions of government agencies and business representatives, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to create a separate platform to coordinate efforts in this area.
According to the approved regulations, the interagency task force is a temporary advisory and consultative body of the government. Its main task is to analyze the situation in the domestic petroleum products market, identify supply issues, and prepare proposals to resolve them.
However, the new body will not serve as a separate regulatory authority and will not replace the relevant ministries or other government agencies. Its function is to coordinate the actions of various agencies and market participants, as well as to prepare decisions that the government can adopt if necessary.
Fuel Stocks, Logistics, and Gas Station Safety
One of the headquarters’ main areas of focus will be monitoring petroleum product stocks and turnover. Analyzing this information will help identify potential supply issues and develop timely response measures.
Special attention will be paid to fuel delivery routes to Ukraine. The headquarters will explore opportunities to diversify supplies and seek solutions to problems arising during the transportation of petroleum products.
Another area of focus is the protection of fuel infrastructure. This includes the security of oil depots, retail gas station networks, and logistics routes.
Particular attention will be paid to areas of active hostilities, areas of potential hostilities, and temporarily occupied territories included in the relevant list compiled by the Ministry of Development.
In addition, the headquarters will assess whether there is sufficient fuel to support key sectors of the economy and the state. First and foremost, this concerns the following areas:
- the security and defense sector;
- the agro-industrial complex;
- critical infrastructure;
- electricity generation.
Thus, the new body’s work will not be limited to the total volume of fuel reserves. Its tasks include resolving practical issues related to the delivery of petroleum products, protecting industry facilities, and meeting the needs of those sectors for which fuel shortages could have serious consequences.
The headquarters will also participate in drafting regulations governing the storage and supply of petroleum products. Based on the results of its work, it will be able to submit relevant recommendations and proposals to the government.
Who Will Be Part of the Interagency Task Force
The Cabinet of Ministers has provided for the participation in this new structure of representatives from agencies responsible for energy and economic policy, transportation, security, and the control of goods circulation.
The task force will be co-chaired by Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Energy - and the Minister of Economy and Environment.
The task force will also include representatives from:
- the Ministry of Development, Infrastructure, and Transport;
- the Ministry of Defense;
- the Ministry of Finance;
- the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- the National Police;
- the State Border Service;
- the State Customs Service;
- the State Tax Service.
In addition, representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Office of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada, and members of parliament will be involved in the work—subject to their consent.
State-owned companies will also be represented at the headquarters, specifically “Ukrnafta,” “Ukrtransnafta,” and “Ukrzaliznytsia.”
Representatives of major fuel retail chains and gas stations are also expected to participate in the work of the new structure. Among them are OKKO, WOG, UPG, BRSM-Nafta, AMIC Energy, KLO, and SOCAR.
This composition will allow for a multifaceted approach to supply issues: from customs clearance and transportation safety to business needs and the capabilities of state-owned enterprises.
Participation by company representatives is voluntary. Members of the task force will serve in a pro bono capacity.
How Meetings Will Be Held and Who Will Be Able to Make Decisions
The task force’s meetings will be convened by decision of the co-chairs as needed, but no less than once a month. For a meeting to be quorate, more than half of the committee’s members must be present. At the co-chair’s discretion, meetings may be held online.
During meetings, participants will develop proposals and recommendations. These will be considered approved if more than half of the members present at the meeting vote in favor of them.
The results of the discussions will be recorded in the minutes. These will be sent to all members of the task force and to the Cabinet of Ministers.
To carry out its tasks, the task force will be able to obtain the necessary information from government agencies, local government bodies, enterprises, and other organizations in accordance with established procedures. In addition, the task force will be able to engage experts, establish working groups, hold meetings, and organize other events.
The Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Economy and Environment are responsible for providing organizational support for its activities.
Will the Headquarters’ Decisions Be Binding on Gas Stations?
The mere establishment of the headquarters does not mean that its decisions will automatically become binding on fuel market participants.
According to the approved regulations, the new body will specifically develop proposals and recommendations. Their practical implementation may require a separate decision by the Cabinet of Ministers. The relevant draft must be submitted by the authorized central executive authority.
Consequently, the task force’s recommendations do not, in and of themselves, impose new obligations on gas stations and other businesses. If the proposed measures involve amending existing regulations or introducing additional requirements, they must be formalized through a separate resolution in accordance with the procedures established by law.
What Will Change in Ukraine’s Fuel Market
The creation of an interagency task force should improve coordination between government agencies and the fuel industry. In particular, the new structure is designed to help identify risks of supply disruptions more quickly, agree on logistical solutions, and coordinate measures to protect infrastructure.
However, the practical outcome will depend on how quickly the participants can identify problems, develop effective proposals, and ensure their implementation.
Decree No. 1233 does not automatically introduce new rules for fuel pricing, mandatory inventory standards, or additional restrictions on gas stations. The document establishes the procedure for coordinating the work of government agencies and the private sector, as well as a mechanism for preparing proposals for the government.
Thus, the Cabinet of Ministers has created a platform for joint work on issues related to petroleum product reserves, logistics, and the security of the fuel infrastructure. Whether this will help prevent supply disruptions and ensure a stable supply for the country will become clear based on the results of the task force’s work and the implementation of the decisions it prepares.
