WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 - U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in New York on Monday at a time of high tension in Europe and the Middle East, but the Kremlin and the White House disagreed on Thursday over the top priority for the talks.

KIEV, Sept. 24 - The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said that it sees no grounds to stop the free trade regime between Ukraine and CIS countries if Kiev signs the Association Agreement with the European Union.

KIEV, Sept. 25 – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara has said he expects an improvement in relations with Russia after the signing by Ukraine of the Association Agreement with the European Union.

KIEV, Sept. 25 - President Viktor Yanukovych has said he is confident that the realization of Ukraine's European aspirations will benefit relations with Russia and promote dialog with the Customs Union.

BRUSSELS, Sept. 25 - A Ukrainian navy frigate is steaming towards the Horn of Africa to join NATO's counter-piracy mission Operation Ocean Shield, NATO’s headquarters reported Wednesday.

ASTANA, Sept. 25 – Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Wednesday suggested using rules and regulations of the World Trade Organization to prevent an escalation of a trade dispute with Russia later this year.

KIEV, Sept. 24 – Shevchenkivsky District Court in Kiev has found Vasyl Volha, the former head of the State Commission for Financial Service Markets Regulation, guilty of an attempt to take a bribe and sentenced him to five years of imprisonment.

KIEV, Sept. 25 – In a stunning turnaround and following massive protests, the ruling Regions Party said Tuesday it will withdraw a controversial bill that introduces jail sentences for journalists who disseminate “libelous” information.

KIEV, Sept. 22 – President Viktor Yanukovych has proposed that an international research center studying the risk of using nuclear energy be created in Ukraine with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

ARKHANGELSK, Sept. 22 - Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko expects clarification from officials in Kiev on plans for the restructuring of Naftogaz Ukrayiny, which, according to Ukraine's leadership, will cause a breach of contracts with Russian gas giant Gazprom.