RIGA, May 22 – Ukraine and the European Commission on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding on a new package of macro-financial assistance from the EU worth EUR 1.8 billion.

KIEV, May 23 - A separatist commander in eastern Ukraine was killed along with several other fighters after their car came under attack Saturday, AFP reported, citing rebel authorities.

KIEV, May 24 - Shelling by Russian-backed separatists killed at least two people -- one civilian and one Ukrainian serviceman -- in Ukraine over the weekend and halted production at one of Europe's largest coke plants, Reuters reported, citing the police and military.

KIEV, May 24 – An opposition lawmaker was rushed to the hospital Thursday bleeding with a head injury following a confrontation in Parliament amid protests against legislation that could introduce Russian as the second state language in Ukraine.

KIEV, May 23 – President Viktor Yanukovych has urged the government and Parliament to speed up the adoption of the law introducing luxury tax.

KIEV, May 24 – Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization focused on human rights, has stated that a culture of impunity for the police continues existing in Ukraine and the charges against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko were politically motivated.

KIEV, May 24 - President Viktor Yanukovych, at a meeting with Alexei Miller, the CEO of Russian natural gas giant Gazprom, said the 2009 gas agreement with Russia was “not correct” and must be changed.

KIEV, May 24 – Ukrainian authorities briefly detained opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko on Tuesday, sparking a wave of international concerns and diplomatic activity, while also raising questions the move may have been politically motivated.

KIEV, May 23 - Non-governmental agricultural organizations have asked the Ukrainian president to veto a law on the introduction of grain export duties.

The Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation (UAC) reported on Monday that the address was sent to the head of state on May 20, 2011.

KIEV, May 23 – Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has noted the importance of concluding agreements on free trade areas with the European Union and with the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan.