KIEV, Aug. 14 – The Ukrainian government is forcing independent companies to sell gas produced in joint projects with state companies at "at prices far below the competitive market price,” which is in contradiction with the civil code on foreign investments, said Rob Bensh, chairman and chief executive officer of Cardinal Resources, and a member of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council.

A cabinet decree (Decree 31, issued on Jan. 16) forces companies like Cardinal to sell gas only to the government of Ukraine and at prices far below the competitive market price, he said "The decree… is very destructive to the private development of energy resources and to private international investors in Ukraine."