KIEV, Aug. 29 – Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has allowed specialized international organizations to purchase additional pharmaceuticals using funds saved from previous purchases.

KIEV, Aug. 27 – Ukraine will continue efforts to strengthen its energy independence, according to President Viktor Yanukovych.

"Measures to diversify the sources of energy supplies, implement energy saving technologies, increase the share of unconventional and alternative fuel resources are aimed at strengthening energy sovereignty," the president said.

KIEV, Aug. 28 - The European Union is ready to sign an association agreement with Ukraine, and the ball is in President Viktor Yanukovych's court, a statement from the Batkivschyna opposition party leader Arseniy Yatseniuk told reporters in Brussels after a meeting of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

BRUSSELS, Aug. 28 – The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs has suggested that the European Commission and the EU member states raise the issue of Russia-Ukraine trade relations at the upcoming G20 Summit in St. Petersburg next week in the light of the recent trade-related problems between the two countries.

KIEV, Aug. 29 – President Viktor Yanukovych said Thursday Ukraine will implement all conditions suggested by the European Union for signing political association and free trade agreements in November.

KIEV, Aug. 27 – The government is to consider a draft national budget for 2013 at a meeting in the near future, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said.

"The government works according to a schedule, which foresees that the draft national budget should be sent to the Verkhovna Rada by September 15, so the government will consider the draft budget and pass it to the parliament in the near few days," he told journalists in Brovary (Kiev region) on Monday.

KIEV, Aug. 29 - Ukraine’s highest court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for abuse of office, a case that has strained the former Soviet state’s ties with the West.

KIEV, Aug. 29 – Ukraine’s currency, the hryvnia, fell to its lowest level in 30 months on Wednesday on weakening exports and amid speculation the government may start printing money to cover the budget deficit.

KIEV, Aug. 29 – Prime Minister Mykola Azarov warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Moscow’s refusal to renegotiate a controversial natural gas agreement will force Kiev to appeal to an international court, Korrespondent reported.

KIEV, Aug. 29 – Police on Monday confirmed they arrested two unnamed protesters who had joined an opposition march in Kiev on the Independence Day, also questioning three opposition figures who led the march.

The two protesters are facing up to five years in prison if convicted of violating a court ruling that had banned the march, and of allegedly attacking police.