Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has lashed out against "political forces" in Ukraine that he accused of raising obstacles to efforts to organize the domestic production of natural gas.

"Those political forces that cause delays and endanger the energy security of Ukraine, an increase in the domestic production of natural gas, or even the organization of such production are working against Ukraine and their own nation," Azarov told a news conference in Kyiv.

"A process of deceleration has started. One wonders what the regional councils of the regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk are doing. Maybe we should raise the cost of gas for you if you keep dragging your feet with these matters? I'm serious," he said.

"We are keeping the gas prices for the population [unchanged]. That is very hard for us. So why are they making our life more difficult?" Azarov said.