In a surprise move, Ukraine’s State Regulatory Service, the body that approves acts of other state bodies, has rejected government’s Oct. 19 decision to raise household gas prices by 23.5%

In a surprise move, Ukraine’s State Regulatory Service, the body that approves acts of other state bodies, has rejected government’s Oct. 19 decision to raise household gas prices by 23.5%. This gas hike, effective Thursday – and a second one of 15% in May – are linchpins in the staff level agreement reached with the IMF. The IMF agreement prompted the Finance Ministry to sell $2 billion in Eurobonds last week. The regulatory agency says the gas hike should have been preceded by one month of public debate, expert analysis of economic and social impacts, and a vote by the Rada Energy Committee.