MOSCOW, May 26 - Russia said on Monday it was ready for dialogue with Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine's next president, but warned the Kiev authorities not to step up armed operations against separatists in the east, Reuters reported.

BERLIN, May 26 - Europe's Energy Commissioner said on Monday Ukraine and Russia had made further progress in a dispute over gas prices and his proposal that Ukraine to pay $2 billion of back debt by Thursday could pave the way for further talks on Friday, Reuters reported.

KIEV, May 26 - Ukraine launched air strikes and a paratrooper assault against pro-Russian rebels who seized an airport on Monday, as its newly elected leader rejected any talks with "terrorists" and said a robust military campaign in the east should be able to put down a separatist revolt in "a matter of hours,” Reuters reported.

KIEV, May 23 – The government of Ukraine is preparing for a visit by President Viktor Yanukovych to China, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said.

KIEV, May 24 – President Viktor Yanukovych has ordered Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to ensure the creation of an interagency working group on the replacement of imported natural gas by Ukrainian-made coal.

KIEV, May 26 - About 100 activists have staged Ukraine's first gay pride march in the capital Kiev, ignoring a court ban, BBC reported Sunday.

"This can be considered a historic day," Olena Semenova, one of the organizers, said.

KIEV, May 26 – President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Russia on Sunday for a surprise meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss urgent trade issues, Yanukovych’s press service reported.

KIEV, May 26 – Ukraine has failed to achieve notable results in its fight against corruption, but it is taking positive steps in reforming the system of state management, according to an annual report by the European Commission on the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in Ukraine.

KIEV, May 26 – Strong international pressure continued to build on President Viktor Yanukovych on Thursday in response to a brief detention of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko by the authorities earlier this week.

KIEV, May 26 – President Viktor Yanukovych on Thursday set a deadline of the end of July for the government to hike utilities tariffs, warning that the failure to comply would force him to take action.