KIEV, Aug. 25 – In a major policy shift, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on Tuesday rejected future natural gas price hikes, undermining previous commitments that had helped Ukraine to secure massive lending from the International Monetary Fund.

KIEV, Aug. 25 – Ukraine on Tuesday vigorously denied Russia’s allegations that Ukrainian troops helped Georgia to fight off Russian army during their five-day war a year ago, calling the allegations “lies” and “provocation.”

KIEV, Aug. 22 – National Security and Defense Council Secretary Raisa Bohatyriova will pay a working visit to the United States on Aug. 24-30, the council said on Friday.

She will participate in the International Leaders Forum in Denver, the State of Colorado, at the invitation of the U.S. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.

KIEV, Aug 25. – U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney will visit Ukraine next week for security talks in the region following the military conflict between Russia and Georgia earlier this month, President Viktor Yushchenko’s office announced.

NEW YORK, Aug 25 – Ukraine will press to join the NATO alliance in response to security challenges posed by the military conflict between Russia and Georgia earlier this month, President Viktor Yushchenko said.

KIEV, Aug. 25 - Yevhen Kushnariov, an ally of former President Leonid Kuchma who had been arrested a week ago for alleged abuse of power, was released Thursday on bail, the Prosecutor General Office said.

KIEV, Aug. 25 - The International Monetary Fund said Thursday that speculative attacks have been putting upward pressure on Ukraine's currency and added the central bank should let the hryvnia gain value to ease the pressure.

WARSAW, Aug. 25 - Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka phoned his counterparts in Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia on Thursday seeking to build a group that would step up pressure on Belarus, Belka's press service reported.

KIEV, Aug. 25 - The International Monetary Fund says that Ukraine's real GDP growth is projected to reach 5½ percent in 2005, slowing to 5 percent in 2006.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 - Earl W. Gast was sworn in as the director for U.S. Agency for International Development mission in Ukraine to manage $105 million in funds promoting democracy, health and economy, USAID said Thursday.