KIEV, Dec. 24 – Ukrainian officials have to sit down for a discussion to see whether the country can avoid default on foreign and domestic debts next year, a top official at President Viktor Yushchenko’s office said Wednesday.

KIEV, Dec. 21 – Ukraine’s political opposition says it has named Regions Party leader Viktor Yanukovych as premier of the shadow government.

The composition of the shadow cabinet was confirmed at a meeting of the opposition on Friday.

DONETSK, Dec. 23 - The government will launch another inquiry into the causes of the accidents at the Zasyadko coal mine in Donetsk region, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said.

KIEV, Dec. 24 – Ukraine’s 2008 draft budget deficit was reduced after the new government made changes incorporating higher natural gas prices and boosting social payments, Finance Minister Viktor Pynzenyk said Monday.

KIEV, Dec. 24 – The government on Monday appointed Oleh Dubyna, a former deputy prime minister and currently a steel industry executive, as the chairman of Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the national oil and gas company.

KIEV, Dec. 24 – President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday appointed Raisa Bohatyriova, one of the leading figures in the opposition Regions Party, as his top security advisor, underscoring a growing split within the party.

KIEV, Dec. 21 ??“ The European Union plans more significant investments in 2007 as part of its energy cooperation with Ukraine and says it is necessary to strengthen a role of Ukraine as a reliable energy transit country and electricity exporter.

KIEV, Dec. 23 - Turkmen opposition leaders appealed to Ukraine's government Saturday to help them come to power in the Central Asian country following the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov, a newswire reported.

KIEV, Dec. 22 - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday assured Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko that Russia will increase deliveries of its natural gas to Ukraine if gas supplies from Turkmenistan are disrupted.

KIEV, Dec. 22 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko signed the 2007 budget into law on Friday as Parliament had approved resolution calling on the government to increase minimum wages and pensions within the next 90 days.