Poroshenko: Ukraine gets off Russian 'gas needle'

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that Ukraine has managed to overcome its dependence on Russian natural gas.

"Some say that the war is not the time to carry out reforms. I strongly believe it's not true. We have done a lot of work this year," the president said talking to the Ukrainian community in Washington on Thursday.

In particular, he noted the work done in the establishment of Ukraine's independence from Russian gas.

"For 25 years, Ukraine has been on Russia's 'gas needle'. Every autumn we were under pressure of the Russian authorities' blackmail in energy matters," he said.

According to Poroshenko, in the past twelve months Ukraine managed to become independent from Russia in energy matters.