KIEV, June 5 - U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez suggested Thursday that the growing dispute over the cancellation of a U.S. company's oil exploration contracts could damage Ukraine's reputation with foreign investors.

KIEV, June 5 - President Viktor Yushchenko formally called a September election on Tuesday under a deal struck with his rival to end Ukraine's political crisis, but his adversaries cast doubt on the legal grounds for the poll.

NOVO-OGARYOVO, June 2 ??“ Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday defended the January decision to hike by 90% prices of natural gas supplied to Ukraine as the need to stop subsidies to the former ally.

KIEV, June 5 ??“ Ukraine??™s consumer prices rose 0.5% on the month in May, led by a 25% hike in natural gas prices, the State Statistics Committee reported Monday.

KIEV, June 5 ??“ Leaders of three pro-Western parties, which are in talks to form the new government in Ukraine, will seek to meet President Viktor Yushchenko Tuesday as the talks have stumbled, party negotiators said.

KIEV, June 5 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday called for creation of a new regional advisory body that would promote a route for energy shipments from the Caspian Sea to Europe bypassing Russia.

KIEV, June 5 ??“ A prominent Russian lawmaker has been denied entry to Ukraine on Saturday among other Russian nationals apparently due to their involvement in anti-NATO protests in Crimea, Ukraine??™s security service SBU said Monday.

KIEV, June 2 ??“ A Web site for Viktor Yanukovych, a former Prime Minister who may lead an opposition coalition for general election next year, apparently resorted to manipulation Thursday while reporting on his travel plans.

KIEV, June 2 ??“ ChevronTexaco, the second largest U.S. oil company and a major producer of Caspian Sea crude in Kazakhstan, will gradually be increasing shipments of crude via Ukraine, the Transportation Ministry reported Thursday.

KIEV, June 2 ??“ A Kiev court ruled Thursday to reject an appeal from Ukraine??™s two richest steel barons, backing a previous court ruling that had cancelled last year??™s controversial privatization of Kryvorizhstal, the steel giant.