Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has called on Ukrainians to conserve heat, hot water and electricity due to the severe cold weather. "I want to encourage citizens to unite in this difficult situation and save as much heat, hot water and electricity as possible, and protect equipment," he said, while opening a government meeting on Wednesday. Azarov noted that the Cabinet of Ministers had prepared for the cold weather in advance by creating substantial reserves of gas, coal and fuel oil.