KIEV, March 12 - President Viktor Yanukovych told the government Friday to immediately begin talks with Russia over natural gas and power supplies to make sure the deal is reached before the end of June.

KIEV, March 12 – Fedir Yaroshenko, the newly appointed finance minister, said the state of Ukraine’s finances was “catastrophic,” but he has ruled out default, saying the government will resume work with international financial organizations.

KIEV, March 14 - Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych has ordered measures be taken to stop the growth in prices for bread and low-octane A-76 gasoline.

LONDON, March 14 - Ukraine should raise its domestic energy prices to help maintain its infrastructure, primarily the crucial pipeline that links Russia with western Europe, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Wedensday.

KIEV, March 14 ??“ The Ukrainian space industry may play a role in developing the missile defense shield over Europe, the head of the US missile defense program said Wednesday.

KIEV, March 14 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych met on Wednesday to try to reconcile differences on foreign policy and to stop escalating political crisis in Ukraine.

KIEV, March 14 ??“ Former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday declined an offer from Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov to hold live television debates ahead of March 26 general election.

KIEV, March 14 ??“ Ukraine recorded a major deficit in trade with goods and commodities in January reflecting a 90% hike in prices of natural gas and causing a downward pressure on the hryvnia.

KIEV, March 14 ??“ Moldova and Ukraine on Tuesday discussed a $200 million project to upgrade an abandoned railway linking the two to bypass the separatist TransDnistria region that had blocked all traffic on the border.

KIEV, March 14 ??“ Ukraine??™s agriculture sector produced and sold 21 billion hryvnias worth of farming produce in 2005, up 31% on the year from 16 billion hryvnias in 2004, Agriculture Minister Oleksandr Baranivsky said.