KIEV, Nov. 18 - The level of shadow economy in Ukraine in January-June 2016 decreased to 38% of official GDP, which is 4 percentage points (p.p.) less than in the corresponding period of 2015, according to the website of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

KIEV, Nov. 18 - The European Parliament begins consultations on the formation of the legislative proposal for the provision of a visa free regime for Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said.

KIEV, Nov. 18 - The Ukrainian embassy to the United States is working to arrange President Petro Poroshenko's visit to the U.S. as soon as possible, Ukrainian Ambassador in Washington Valeriy Chaly said, adding the visit may take place in February 2017.

KIEV, Nov. 20 - U.S. President Barack Obama, who briefly met Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Peru on Sunday, said he wants to reach a negotiated peace settlement in Ukraine before he leaves office in January.

KIEV, Nov. 21 – The upcoming EU-Ukraine summit will focus on a visa free travel for Ukrainians, extension of sanctions against Russia and the ratification of the Association Agreement and the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in the energy area, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said Sunday.

KIEV, Nov. 21 – The Kremlin’s short term goal is destabilizing Ukraine internally, with the long term goal of drawing the country back into Russia's sphere of influence, President Petro Poroshenko said Monday.

KIEV, Nov. 18 – Ukraine needs more time to implement agreed fiscal measures, including approval of the 2017 budget consistent with reforms, the International Monetary Fund reported Friday.

KIEV, Nov. 21 - Ukrainian security services have detained two Russian soldiers near the border with Crimea, with Ukraine saying the men were deserters from the Ukrainian army detained on Ukrainian-controlled territory and Russia saying they were seized in Crimea, Reuters reported.

KIEV, Nov. 19 – The Ukrainian parliament has ratified a financial agreement between Ukraine and the European Investment Bank in support of a project to renovate the country's hydroelectric power plants.

KIEV, Nov. 20 – President Viktor Yanukovych has signed the law on the restructuring of the actual budget debt for the difference in the tariffs for heat, water supply and sewerage services via the issue of promissory notes, the press service of the president reported on Wednesday.