KIEV, Feb. 23 – The official registered unemployment rate in Ukraine was 3.2% of the working-age population in January, the State Statistics Committee reported.

Unemployment in December was 3%, in November 2.3% and in October 1.9%. Earlier, for three months unemployment remained at the level of 1.8%. In June 2008 the unemployment level was 1.9%, May 2.0%, April 2.2%, March 2.3%, and in January-February 2.4%.

KIEV, Feb. 25 – An international investment conference on the modernization of Ukraine's gas transport system is planned for March 23 in Brussels, a source at the Ukrainian mission to the European Commission told Interfax-Ukraine.

This joint European Commission-Ukraine conference will gather representatives of the European Union, Ukraine and other countries, as well as those of international institutions and the private sector, the source added.

KIEV, Feb. 25 – The National Bank of Ukraine agreed to sell foreign exchange reserves to Naftogaz Ukrayiny to make sure the national energy company pays Russia’s Gazprom for natural gas supplies in February, a top official said Wednesday.

Naftogaz is supposed to pay about $400 million to Gazprom before March 7 for gas supplies in February, according to an agreement signed between Naftogaz and Gazprom on January 19.

KIEV, Feb. 25 - Standard and Poor's on Wednesday cut Ukraine's credit ratings to a level indicating vulnerability to default amid concerns the International Monetary Fund would suspend its $16.4 billion rescue package.

KIEV, Feb. 25 – President Viktor Yushchenko on Wednesday dismissed calls from former president Leonid Kravchuk to resign as a PR campaign used by undisclosed politicians, but said the next election will be a turning point for Ukraine.

KIEV, Feb. 22 – State property in Kiev that requires reconstruction in preparation for the Euro 2012 European Football Championship will be included in the city's regional target program on preparations for the championship, and the work will be financed from the national budget, according to Anatoliy Holubchenko, first deputy head of the Kiev city administration.

KIEV, Feb. 25 – Ukraine’s pro-government and opposition parties created a joint team Monday to try to find during the next seven days a compromise over NATO that would end a five-week deadlock in Parliament, lawmakers said.

KIEV, Feb. 25 - Ukraine must run at least three out of 15 its nuclear power reactors with alternatives to Russia’s supplies of nuclear fuel in 2011, according to a decree signed by President Viktor Yushchenko.

KIEV, Feb. 25 – New disagreements emerged between President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on Monday, now over the government’s economic policy and planned anti-inflationary measures, with presidential officials criticizing the government over a spike in inflation.

KIEV, Feb. 23 ??“ Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych sought to assure the European Union that Ukraine is committed to joining the World Trade Organization and seeks to sign a free trade agreement with the EU.