KIEV, Dec. 8 – Fuel imported from Lithuania is not a direct rival for fuel made by Ukrainian oil refineries, according to Marius Yanukonis, Lithuanian Deputy Ambassador to Ukraine.

"Fuel imported from Lithuania is not direct rival to Ukrainian fuel producers, as it is of a very high quality and Ukraine did not produce such fuel," he told Interfax-Ukraine.

KIEV, Dec. 8 – President Viktor Yanukovych on Thursday signed into law parliamentary election legislation approved last month that makes it more difficult for smaller political parties to enter Parliament.

KIEV, Dec. 8 – Following a 12-hour court session at the jail cell bedside of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, the judge ruled Thursday she must be detained for two months based on new charges.

KIEV, Dec. 8 – Ukraine is waiting for the specification of the priorities of the European Union in the construction of bypass gas pipelines, according to Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko.

KIEV, Dec. 8 - The new text of a Ukrainian law on civil service may foresee the separation of political and administrative posts in government agencies and the introduction of the posts of state secretaries, said Tymofiy Motrenko, head of the Main Department of Ukraine’s Civil Service.

KIEV, Dec. 8 – Ukraine’s government, fighting off demands for financial compensation, delayed by three months talks with U.S. oil company Vanco Energy aimed at an amicable agreement.

KIEV, Dec. 8 – The government plans to narrow Ukraine’s budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product in 2011, according to a draft that will be submitted to Parliament later this week.

The draft, approved by the government on Wednesday, was calculated to reflect lower taxes on big companies incorporated into the new Tax Code approved last week.

BRUSSELS, Dec. 6 – The deepening of political relations between Kiev and Brussels should be based on common values such as respect for human rights and democratic principles, whereas the preservation of political stability must not contradict the protection of fundamental rights, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule believes.

KIEV, Dec. 8 – Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s foreign policy chief was in Washington Monday trying to persuade leaders of the International Monetary Fund to unlock its $16.4 billion lifeline to Ukraine as deep budget crisis looms ahead.

KIEV, Dec. 8 – Lawmakers will try to elect a Parliament speaker on Tuesday by choosing between three candidates, including Ivan Pliushch, President Viktor Yushchenko’s favorite, people familiar with the situation said Monday.