Ukraine cut imports of gas for domestic consumption by one quarter in 2018, to 3.5 billion cubic meters, the Interfax-Ukraine calculates, drawing on figures from Ukrtransgaz. For the last three years, Ukraine has only bought gas from its western neighbors – Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. Much of this gas originates in Russia. Higher gas prices, investment in conservation, and shifts to alternatives energy sources have cut gas imports. On Tuesday, heating rates went up by 4-24%, according to rates set by the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Utilities.