KIEV, Feb. 21 – Consensus has been reached between private operators of the Ukrainian market and representatives of the state to hold the line on fuel price increases despite the increase in the global prices of oil and fuel, said Kostiantyn Borodin, deputy director of the oil and gas industry and alternative energy department at the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry.

"Taking into account instability on the global market and the absence of understanding how long the present price hike will continue - if it is a price blip or the start of a long-term trend - the main outcome was an agreement between the sides to refrain from changing prices on the fuel market until the end of February," he said, commenting on the recent meeting of an expert and analytical group at the Ukrainian cabinet.