KIEV, March 21 – Russia may suggest Ukraine elevate the status of the Russian language in the country as part of a deal to lower natural gas prices, a senior Russian lawmaker said Sunday.

KIEV, March 21 – Ukraine is seeking permission from the International Monetary Fund to spend $5 billion, or most of the money it can borrow this year, to cover its budget deficit, Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Tyhypko said.

KIEV, March 18 - The state budget for 2009 wasn't fulfilled, while some indicators were falsified, Accounting Chamber head Valentyn Symonenko said at a meeting with President Viktor Yanukovych.

KIEV, March 21 ??“ Parliament, led by pro-government coalition, on Wednesday approved Anatoliy Kinakh, a member of Our Ukraine opposition group, as the country??™s economy minister replacing Volodymyr Makukha from the post.

KIEV, March 21 ??“ Arseniy Yatseniuk, a close ally of pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko, was Wednesday approved as Ukraine??™s new foreign minister after pro-government coalition and opposition groups had overwhelmingly backed the nomination.

KIEV, March 21 ??“ Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday has expressed concerns over the slow inflow of revenues to the state budget from privatization.

KIEV, March 21 ??“ Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko had a secret meeting with leaders of pro-government group Our Ukraine last week seeking to form a coalition after Sunday general election, a senior aide said Tuesday.

MINSK, March 21 ??“ Police arrested more than 20 opposition activists in Belarus early Tuesday in what appears to be the first confrontation between the authorities and opposition groups since the disputed presidential election on Sunday.

KIEV, March 21 ??“ The leader of TransDnistria, Moldova??™s breakaway republic, on Tuesday urged Russia to intervene to prevent economic collapse in the region following a border and trade conflict with Ukraine.

DNIPRODZERZHYNSK, March 21 ??“ Ukraine plans to more than double production of uranium within the next five years to meet a growing demand from the country??™s nuclear power industry, an official said.