KIEV, March 19 - Ukraine's integrated power grids decreased electricity output by 13.9% or by 4.847 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) year-over-year in January and February 2015, to 30.04 billion kWh, an Energy and Coal Industry Ministry source told Interfax-Ukraine.

KIEV, March 20 – Ukrainian mining and metal company Metinvest is holding legal consultations on the possibility of postponing debt payments, Bloomberg news agency reported.

KIEV, March 20 – TVi Channel will stop broadcasting on Monday, March 23, Telekrytyka (TV Criticism) has reported, citing several sources who work at the channel.

KIEV, March 21 – Ukraine hopes to promote the Oplot main battle tank on the arms market in the Asia-Pacific region, Ukraine's state-owned arms exporter Ukrspecexport reported.

The optimistic market prospects of the Oplot main battle tank on the Asian regional market were discussed by acting Ukrspecexport Director General Vadym Kozhevnikov.

KIEV, March 22 – The Ukrainian cabinet has decided not to reduce excise duties on light fuel, Deputy Energy and Coal Industry Minister Volodymyr Makukha said in Kiev.

He said that the issue was discussed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, although it was rejected in favor of alternative options, which would help to stabilize the prices of fuel on the domestic market.

KIEV, March 22 - Kyivenergo will come closer to signing concession agreements for heat pipelines with Kiev's authorities in late 2012 or early 2013, Kyivenergo Director General Oleksandr Fomenko said.

KIEV, March 22 - Ukraine imported 2.523 billion cubic meters of gas originating in Russia in January, 58.3% or 3.6 bcm less than the same month last year.

Imports of Russian gas fell 34.7% or $558.926 million in value to $1.052 billion, the State Statistics Service said.

KIEV, March 22 – The Ukrainian government hopes to sign agreements on the creation of a free-trade zone and the introduction of a visa-free regime with the European Union in the first half of 2011, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Andriy Kliuyev said.

KIEV, March 21 – The retaining of blocking stakes (25% plus one share) during the privatization of electricity generating companies would narrow a circle of potential investors in Dniproenergo and Zakhidenergo to only one candidate – DTEK, the largest private vertically integrated energy holding, which would have a chance to expand its portfolio to a controlling stake.

KIEV, March 22 – The State Customs Service could be given powers to temporarily seize currency brought through the Ukrainian border if there is suspicion that the currency was to be used to carry out money laundering or finance terrorism.