KIEV, June 26 - Ukraine will sign a broad political and trade accord with the European Union on Friday, making a historic shift away from Russia and closer to the West.

The signing is a victory for pro-EU Ukrainians who drove Russian-backed president Viktor Yanukovych from power after he abandoned the pact last year in favor of cash from Moscow.

KIEV, June 26 – Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has instructed Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Boyko to work out a plan of development for the network of Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities and the modernization of the gas transportation system by November 2013 to enable the creation of a gas hub in the country.

KIEV, June 26 – Ukraine’s justice minister on Wednesday defended the idea that the government may amend the constitution through nationwide referendum, a controversial stance that may spark fresh protests from opposition groups.

KIEV, June 26 – A luxury tax will be adopted at the next plenary sitting of Parliament, said Vitaliy Khomutynnyk, the head of the parliamentary committee on finance, banking, tax and customs policy.

KIEV, June 26 – Ukraine has no complaints against Russia concerning unfavorable gas contracts it signed with Ukraine in 2009, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said.

"It hurts us that the price is so high, that we are being punished for something.

KIEV, June 25 - President Viktor Yanukovych will meet Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Kiev on Wednesday ahead of a planned meeting with the Russian president next month, the presidential service reported Tuesday.

KIEV, June 26 - Ukraine's high court on Tuesday postponed the appeal of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko against her seven-year jail term for abuse of power until after the end of its hosting of Euro 2012.

KIEV, June 26 - Vanco Prykerchenska, a joint venture led by U.S. oil company Vanco Energy, pledged Thursday to invest $250 million in development of a Black Sea offshore field in Ukraine over the next three years.

KIEV, June 25 – Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, after descending 1,000 meters down a coal mine in the Luhansk region Thursday, announced plans for a sweeping reform of the sector that includes liberalization of coal prices and privatization.

KIEV, June 26 – Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, citing the lack of funds in the budget, on Thursday suspended her controversial depositor bailout plan, which had massively contributed to the record high inflation in Ukraine.