KIEV, May 25 – Ukraine’s economy, hit by the global financial crisis, may have contracted 23% on the year in the first quarter, and is perhaps the fastest shrinking economy in Eastern Europe, President Viktor Yushchenko said Monday.

KIEV, May 23 - In response to growing prices of energy and rising pressure from energy producers, President Viktor Yushchenko on Friday called for the creation of a regional bloc that would improve energy security.

KIEV, May 23 – The National Bank of Ukraine remained sharply divided over the hryvnia’s future after its top governing body voted overwhelmingly in favor of the currency’s steep appreciation against the U.S. dollar.

KIEV, May 25 - The Ukrainian government has appointed Oleksandr Bolkisev, acting chairman of the national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrayiny, as board member at the company, a government??™s press service said Thursday.

KIEV, May 25 ??“ Loans borrowed by Ukraine in 2005 will allow the country to save around UAH 1.5 billion in coming years, the Finance Ministry reported in a statement posted on its Website.

KIEV, May 25 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko, in his address to lawmakers on Thursday, singled out Ukraine??™s relations with the U.S. as ???strategic partnership,??? while relations with Russia had been downgraded to ???possessing equal rights.???

SOCHI, May 25 ??“ Russian President Vladimir Putin, defying U.S. criticism, on Thursday defended an option of using Russia??™s position of dominant energy supplier as a tool for promoting the country??™s policy agenda.

KIEV, May 25 ??“ Three pro-Western parties that jointly control a simple majority in Parliament voted on Thursday to postpone legislative sessions until June 7 to give their leaders more time to sign a coalition agreement.

KIEV, May 24 - The Ukrainian government will be able to appoint loyal management at UkrNafta, the country??™s largest oil producer, if Parliament approves a bill that had been submitted last week, lawmakers said Tuesday.

KIEV, May 24 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko said Tuesday he will seek the dismissal of a Ukrainian company director after a report suggested the company had apparently overcharged Turkmenistan while building a $40 million bridge.