MOSCOW, June 6 - Russia and Ukraine have reached a fundamental understanding on the settlement of the Strait of Kerch issue, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

KIEV, June 6 – Prime Minister Mykola Azarov will seek lower natural gas prices and higher transit fees that Ukraine charges Gazprom at talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday.

LIVADIA, June 3 – Ukraine is aiming to carry out profound reform of local government in order to increase its effectiveness, said President Viktor Yanukovych.

KIEV, June 3 - Ukraine will strictly adhere to a non-aligned status and intends to actively participate in the development of a collective security system within the European Union and NATO, President Viktor Yanukovych said.

KIEV, June 4 - An International Monetary Fund mission will be in Kiev next week to discuss granting a $12-19 billion loan for Ukraine.

"We are working on it. Next week we are having the IMF mission that practically will have the relevant powers.

KIEV, June 4 – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to meet President Viktor Yanukovych during her visit to Ukraine on July 4-5, the Foreign Ministry reported on Friday.

KIEV, June 4 - President Viktor Yanukovych said Friday the authorities will help Ukrainian shareholders to fend off a hostile acquisition of the country’s No. 2 steelmaker by undisclosed Russian investors.

KIEV, June 6 – Tensions were building up within Ukraine’s governing coalition over the weekend, with Parliamentary Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn alleging that President Viktor Yanukovych’s Regions Party has been seeking to increase its grip on power.

KIEV, June 5 ??“ Around 650,000 hectares of fields with crops have been damaged by drought in Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Slauta said.

KIEV, June 6 - Ukraine on Wednesday criticized Moscow for barring a top presidential adviser from entering Russia hours after Ukraine denied entry to a Russian nationalist leader.