KIEV, September 7 (Itar-Tass) —— Ukraine’s Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov urges the nation to save energy resources during the autumn-winter period.

“We should do everything to save energy resources, as with the gas trap – the bondage gas contract (with Russia) - closed windows or insulated doors and economic use of gas stoves – are matters of patriotism and survival,” he told the meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday. The state, in its turn, “should provide conditions and be an example of energy saving.”

He ordered Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Klyuyev “to direct all resources and efforts to elimination of accidents and losses of energy.” The prime minister said that housing maintenance managers were preparing for the winter period too slowly.

As he said, before October 1, “the fuel and energy complex should be 100 percent ready for winter, and before October 10, all regions should present to the government their complex reports on preparation for the autumn-winter period.”

Azarov threatened with possible staff decisions regarding local administrations’ heads, in whose regions “children or patients will be freezing.”