KIEV, Feb. 20 – The sharp fall in industrial production in Ukraine in January of 16.1% against December 2008 is linked with the international economic crisis, the weakening of the hryvnia, the large number of days off and difficulties with gas supplies, according to the Ukrainian economy ministry.

KIEV, Feb. 20 - The level of the dollarization of Ukraine's economy in 2008 grew to 30.6% from the 22.8% registered by the beginning of the year, the National Bank of Ukraine said.

KIEV, Feb. 21 – Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said Ukraine will meet its obligation and will be able to pay Russian gas giant Gazprom before March 7 for natural gas consumed in February.

KIEV, Feb. 22 – Anatoliy Miarkovskiy, the deputy finance minister who has been recently holding secret talks with Russia over a $5 billion loan, will be nominated as the new finance minister, people familiar with the situation said.

KIEV, Feb. 21 ??“ The governments of the Crimean Autonomous Republic and Moscow city are holding talks on the participation of Russian investors in the development of resorts in the east of Crimea.

BRUSSELS, Feb. 21 ??“ A report by the European Parliament on Ukraine's new enhanced agreement with the European Union will include a point granting Kiev the prospects of EU membership, European parliament member Michal Kaminski said.

KIEV, Feb. 22 ??“ The pro-government coalition in Parliament should seek to increase its control over the National Bank of Ukraine, including the foreign exchange rate policy, a senior member of the coalition said.

KIEV, Feb. 22 ??“ Parliament, led by the pro-Russian government coalition, on Thursday rejected President Viktor Yushchenko??™s choice for the foreign minister in an apparent bid to reverse the country??™s pro-Western foreign policy.

KIEV, Feb. 22 ??“ In the next few years, Ukrainian PR market will be dominated by up to three large agencies with market share of up to 20% each, industry analysts said.

KIEV, Feb. 21 ??“ Ukraine and Belarus will sign an energy agreement during a meeting between Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, according to Ukrainian presidential secretariat deputy head Oleksandr Chaly.