KIEV, Feb. 20 - The Russian State Duma and the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada will simultaneously ratify the CIS free trade zone agreement.

"We have agreed to the synchronous consideration of this important document, which will significantly facilitate trade operations between economic agents in our states," State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin told a Monday press conference in Kiev.

KIEV, Feb. 20 - Ukraine seeks to change the formula setting Russian natural gas prices to make sure the prices remain competitive, Andriy Kliuyev, the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, said Monday.

Kliuyev made the statement at a meeting with Sergei Naryshkin, the head of the State Duma, the lower house of Russian Parliament, amid media reports that Russia had suggested lowering the prices 10%.

KIEV, Feb. 20 – Ukraine’s state prison authority on Monday agreed to let jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko undergo possible surgery outside prison to alleviate her persistent back pain.

KIEV, Feb. 17 – A live broadcast of President Viktor Yanukovych answering questions from the public will start at 11 a.m. on February 25, the First National TV Channel reported.

KIEV, Feb. 18 – The opposition government has stated that in Ukraine at present there is no legislation that foresees responsibility for corrupt activities.

KIEV, Feb. 18 – Ukraine is seeking to increase its involvement with the Commonwealth of Independent States, a Russia-led loose alliance, and has been making progress in talks over free trade, President Viktor Yanukovych said Friday.

KIEV, Feb. 20 – The Regions Party, the opposition group constituting Parliament’s largest political party, on Thursday will present its plan for a reconciliation that may unblock the work of the legislature, Viktor Yanukovych, the leader of the party, said.

MOSCOW, Feb. 20 - Russia and Ukraine will stick to a gas agreement reached earlier this month by the presidents of the two states, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said Wednesday after a meeting with Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko.

KIEV, Feb. 20 ??“ The Itera Group can implement in Ukraine a project on the production of coalmine methane from coal beds, Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko said.

"Itera has brought a very interesting project. They have worked out it in the U.S. state of Illinois ??“ the coalmine methane production project.

KIEV, Feb. 20 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko said on Tuesday that he will stand by his nominations for the foreign minister and security service chief despite an emerging opposition from the pro-government coalition.