KIEV, Jan. 21 ??“ Naftogaz Ukrayiny expects to start work on the exploration of oil and gas deposits in Libya in February or March, right after that country's government approves the production sharing agreement (PSA) signed between Naftogaz Ukrayiny, and the Libyan National Oil Company (NOC) in October 2004.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 - The International Monetary Fund on Monday urged Ukraine's government to cut spending and raise interest rates to head off an overheating economy, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

MOSCOW, Jan. 24 ??“ Russian President Vladimir Putin held secret talks with former Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych on Sunday, Russian television NTV reported Monday citing undisclosed sources.

MOSCOW, Jan. 24 ??“ Ukraine and Russia on Monday failed to iron out differences over Russia??™s plan to create a major political and economic bloc involving the four biggest states of the former Soviet Union.

KIEV, Jan. 24 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko appointed his fiery ally Yulia Tymoshenko as acting prime minister Monday, de-facto nominating her to the post of the prime minister.

KYIV, Dec 21 - The weakening of the hryvnia in recent days is due to an increase in demand for foreign currency, said Deputy Head of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Serhiy Nikolaychuk.

BRUSSELS, Dec 21 - The European Union on Thursday paid the final tranche of a multibillion-euro support package to Ukraine to help keep its war-ravaged economy afloat this year, leaving the country without a financial lifeline from Europe as of next month.

MOSCOW, Dec. 24 - Ukraine 's rating has climbed after the agreements signed with Russia and it helped the country emerge from economic crisis, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said.

KIEV, Dec. 24 - Russia told Ukraine on Tuesday it had transferred the first $3 billion tranche of a $15 billion bailout, part of plans to keep Kiev firmly within Moscow 's orbit and out of the European Union's embrace, Reuters reported.

KIEV, Dec. 24 – The International Monetary Fund said the government of President Viktor Yanukovych had largely abandoned much-needed economic reforms after accepting $15 billion in loan from Russia , The New York Times reported.