KIEV, June 4 - Russia’s growing pressure over natural gas supplies and an emerging constitutional crisis in Ukraine are coordinated attempts to reverse the country’s pro-Western course, a senior official at President Viktor Yushchenko’s office said Thursday.

KIEV, June 4 – Ukraine rapidly drifted towards major political turmoil Thursday, with President Viktor Yushchenko calling on the people to stand up against controversial constitutional amendments prepared by his opponents.

KIEV, June 4 – Import duties for cars with engine sizes of from 1 to 2.2 liters (new, or less than five years old) will be decreased from 25% to 10% starting Jan. 1, 2009.

KIEV, June 4 – The presidents and banking associations of Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova have created a coordination council for the bank association of the GUAM counties, according to a press release of the Association of Ukrainian Banks.

KIEV, June 4 - President Viktor Yushchenko on Wednesday signed an order obliging the government to resume an offshore oil extraction license and production sharing agreement with U.S. oil company Vanco Energy.

MOSCOW, June 4 – Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of Parliament, on Wednesday approved a resolution that calls for breaking a cornerstone friendship agreement with Ukraine to punish Kiev for its push to join NATO.

KIEV, June 4 ??“ Friction emerged on Monday between the government coalition and opposition parties over whether Parliament should continue to operate until the early election due Sept. 30.

KIEV, June 4 ??“ Ukraine is preparing to ban exports of grain amid reports that crops have been badly affected by drought throughout the country, people familiar with the situation said Monday.

KIEV, June 1 - With the passage by the Ukrainian parliament of a series of laws necessary for Ukraine's entry into the World Trade Organization, Kiev has officially met all its obligations for integration into that international organization, First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mykola Azarov said.

KIEV, June 2 ??“ Three pro-Western parties, which are in talks to form the new government, have so far made slow progress on a key economic issue, a member of Our Ukraine, said Saturday.