KIEV, Jan. 25 - Russia and Ukraine postponed creation of a joint venture aimed at distributing natural gas to industrial consumers in Ukraine, Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov said Wednesday.

KIEV, Jan. 25 ??“ Ukraine boosted daily consumption of natural gas more than 10% on Tuesday exceeding previous record high levels as the country had been tackling extremely low temperatures for a week, officials said Wednesday.

KIEV, Jan. 25 - Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov said Ukraine and Turkmenistan may sign a long-term gas supply deal during Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov's visit to Ukraine in March.

LVIV, Jan. 25 - Russia's ban on imports of Ukrainian livestock products was politically motivated and should be resolved as soon as next week, Agriculture Minister Oleksandr Baranivsky said.

KIEV, Jan. 25 ??“ Ukraine and Russia are expected to make progress in settling the issue of the Black Sea Fleet next month during a meeting of a special commission, Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov said Wednesday.

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.