KIEV, Feb. 5 - The Independent Trade Union of Ukrainian Miners is alarmed at the plans of the government to start the reconstruction of 35 coalmines and close another 35 coalmines.

"This is a matter of the energy security of the country. We can tell you that if today we aren't able to hold the situation steady, in two years we'll fully depend on coal from neighboring countries," Chairman of the Independent Trade Union of Ukrainian Miners Mykhailo Volynets said.