KIEV, Feb. 7 – The administration of Ukraine’s president does not expect a new "trade war" between Ukraine and Russia.

Commenting on the situation with Russia's claims against Ukrainian cheese producers, Andriy Honcharuk, a presidential adviser and the head of the main department for international relations at Ukraine's presidential administration, said that "verbal rhetoric on the issue does not give a clear answer about the real circumstances."

KIEV, Feb. 5 - The National Bank of Ukraine's international reserves contracted 4.6% year-on-year, or by $1.219 billion, to $25.286 billion in the month of January, the bank said on its website.

KIEV, Feb. 5 - Ukraine's combined state (direct) and government-guaranteed debt increased 53.5% in 2009, or by $13.151 billion, to $37.749 billion, the Finance Ministry said.

In December, that figure increased 5.2%, or by $1.878 billion.

KIEV, Feb. 5 - Ukraine's public finances will continue to be under pressure during 2010 in the absence of more rigorous reforms to both the energy sector and the pension system, according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

KIEV, Feb. 8 – The average wholesale market price of electricity on the Wholesale Electricity Market in Ukraine grew by 22.4% in 2009, to UAH 407.56 per MWh.

KIEV, Feb. 8 – Inflation in Ukraine grew to 1.8% in January, compared to 0.9% in December 2009, the State Statistics Committee reported on Monday.

According to the committee, inflation was 2.9% in January 2009, while in the next months it didn't exceed 1.5%.

KIEV, Feb. 5 - Fitch Ratings has downgraded Ukraine-based pipes and railway wheels producer Interpipe Limited's (Interpipe) Long-term Issuer Default Rating to ‘CCC' from 'B-' (B minus), Fitch said in a statement.

ZAPORIZHIA, Feb. 6 – Zaporizhia municipal company Vodokanal is facing difficulties repaying a loan issued by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development due to the drop in the value of the hryvnia.

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 8 - Stockholm-based Swedbank AB Wednesday said it has agreed to buy TAS-Kommerzbank in Ukraine for $735 million in a move to expand its operations in Eastern Europe.

The payment for TAS includes an equity contribution of $50 million (euro65 million) at the closing of the deal, Swedbank said.

KIEV, Feb. 7 ??“ The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is ready to lend EUR 100 million to Kiev-based municipally owned Kiev Metropoliten underground railways and Kyivpastrans.