Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has instructed the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry to set the price of gas for households under public service obligation (PSO), and it is not planned to change the figure, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk told reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday.

"I was instructed that now not the Economic Development and Trade Ministry, but the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry will set the price of gas… Believe me, as a ministry I would not consider the increase of the gas price," he said.

Nasalyk said that the ministry was authorized to set the gas price for households around one month and a half ago.

As reported, the government in spring 2016 extended resolution No. 758 on PSO of national joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy to sell gas to households and heat supply companies on the beneficial conditions for one year – until April 1, 2017.

Naftogaz Commercial Director Yuriy Vitrenko on February 14 said that the price of gas for households could grow by 40% from April 1, 2017 if the PSO are not extended.