Call to End Licensing for Fuel Retail and Storage
Volodymyr Popereshnyuk, co-owner of the Nova Poshta delivery company, has called on the government to scrap licensing requirements for fuel retail and storage, citing ongoing shelling of gas stations. He argues this move is essential to decentralize and disperse fuel sales points across Ukraine. Popereshnyuk proposes establishing new outlets, including mobile gas stations and sales from barrels and canisters.
In a Facebook post, he stated that "the constant attacks on our gas stations have made it urgent to decentralize and distribute fuel sales points." According to Popereshnyuk, the goal is to quickly make it harder for the enemy to destroy infrastructure and logistics. He emphasized that entrepreneurs could rapidly address this challenge, but are hindered by existing licenses and regulations governing the fuel sector.
Issues with Current Legislation
Under current rules, retail fuel sales in Ukraine are only permitted with a separate license for each point of sale. Fuel can only be sold at licensed gas stations, LPG stations, and other legally defined facilities, except for consumer containers up to 5 liters. Popereshnyuk warned that without changes, the country risks a new fuel shortage and logistics collapse.
He proposes eliminating these regulations and licenses at least in front-line regions, and ideally across all of Ukraine.
This initiative highlights the pressing challenges facing Ukraine’s fuel market amid ongoing military conflict. Removing licensing could enable faster responses to market needs and improve fuel availability, especially in areas hardest hit by shelling. However, such a change would also raise concerns about safety and fuel quality control, which remain critical under martial law.
As the discussion around the fuel retail licensing intensifies, it is crucial to understand the current landscape of fuel prices in Ukraine. Recent updates reveal significant fluctuations in gasoline and diesel costs, which are directly influenced by the ongoing conflict and supply chain disruptions. For a comprehensive overview of the latest pricing trends and factors affecting fuel availability, refer to this article on current fuel costs in Ukraine.