KIEV, May 31 – President Viktor Yanukovych, in a rare move, will join a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday, potentially setting the stage for a government reshuffle.

Yanukovych’s moves are being watched especially closely after his two attacks on Prime Minister Mykola Azarov over the past seven days.

KIEV, May 31 – Ukraine on Monday joined the international community by expressing “concerns” over the deadly Israeli commando raid on ships carrying humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

KIEV, May 31 - Volodymyr Boyko, the key shareholder of Illich Steel, Ukraine’s No. 2 steelmaker, on Monday appealed to President Viktor Yanukovych for help in fending off a “colossal raider attack” against the company.

KIEV, May 31 – President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday appointed Hryhoriy Pedchenko, the first deputy defense minister and his long-time political ally, as chief of the general staff and commander of Ukraine’s armed forces.

KIEV, May 28 – Ukraine's Q1 national budget deficit is estimated at UAH479.4 million, up 43.8%, or UAH146 million, from previous estimates, the Finance Ministry has said on its official Web site.

"January through March 2009, the consolidated budget (comprising the national budget and local budgets) was executed with a deficit of UAH74.3 million… the national budget was executed with a deficit of UAH479.4 million, while the deficit of the budget's general fund was estimated at UAH4.52 billion [The national budget consists of the general fund and the special fund.

KIEV, May 29 - President Viktor Yushchenko on Friday suspended the government resolution that had called for selling the country’s coal mines to investors through open auctions, the president’s press service reported.

KIEV, May 31 – Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and opposition Regions Party leader Viktor Yanukovych – contrary to their earlier assurances – have made significant progress in talks over constitutional amendments, Ukrayinska Pravda reported Saturday, citing sources.

ZAGREB, May 31 ??“ Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic have called for the liberalization of the visa regime between their two countries.

KIEV, May 31 ??“ The inflow of investment and further economic development of Ukraine will depend on political stability in the country, according to Russian ambassador to Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin.

KIEV, May 31 ??“ Internal Affairs Minister Vasyl Tsushko, a central figure in the political standoff between the president and prime minister, was flown to Germany for treatment after his condition worsened following a heart attack, the ministry said.