MOSCOW, June 24 - A ceasefire is likely to collapse in east Ukraine and Russia could be drawn into a "big war" to cleanse the "sore on its borders", the former leader of the region's pro-Russian separatists said, Reuters reported.

KIEV, June 23 – The European Council on Monday finalized the technical preparations for the signature of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine reported.

KIEV, June 24 - Ukraine's president warned Tuesday that he may terminate his weeklong cease-fire early after rebels downed a military helicopter, while Russia urged the Kiev leadership to extend the truce and launch talks with the rebels.

KIEV, June 22 – The Regions Party faction has predicted that the law on wealth tax could be adopted by the end of parliament's present session.

KIEV, June 24 – Jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko on Monday will skip a court hearing due to look into new tax dodging charges that the authorities are pressing against the former prime minister.

KIEV, June 24 – BYT leader Yulia Tymoshenko has said the arrest of the former chairman of the Customs Service of Ukraine, Anatoliy Makarenko, is "political persecution."

KIEV, June 24 – An ally of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been taken in custody for two months Thursday as the authorities investigate his role in confiscating natural gas from RosUkrEnergo in February 2009.

KIEV, June 22 – The Ukrainian cabinet at present is drawing up the legal basis for the privatization of regional electricity supply and heat generation companies, First Deputy Prime Minister Andriy Kliuyev said at a press conference attended by Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, which was devoted to the results of the first 100 days of work of the Ukrainian government.

KIEV, June 22 – Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko will visit Italy on Wednesday, June 23, to discuss issues of gas transit through Ukraine to Europe, ministry spokesman Oleh Voloshyn, said at a press briefing in Kiev on Tuesday.

BRUSSELS, June 22 – The European Commission is studying ways to bring additional volumes of Russian gas through Ukraine in connection with Belarus' plans to cut gas transit through its territory, European Commission energy spokeswoman Marlene Holzner said in Brussels on Tuesday.