KIEV, Sept. 19 – The value of the contract to design and erect a new safe shell for the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant could grow to EUR490 million during the realization of the project, said Serhiy Parashin,deputy secretary of the national security and defense council.

KIEV, Sept. 19 – Representatives of the Green faction in the European Parliament have criticized an agreement to design and erect a new safety shell over the damaged fourth reactor unit at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant signed between the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant state company and France's Novarka.

KIEV, Sept. 19 - Ukraine's president says he is pressing Kiev authorities to solve a row over a building site which threatens to disqualify the city's main stadium from hosting the final of the 2012 European soccer championship, Reuters reported.

KIEV, Sept. 19 - Ukraine has rejected a Russian proposal on how to determine the origin of the poison that sickened President Viktor Yushchenko three years ago, AFP reported on Wednesday, citing officials.

KIEV, Sept. 19 ??“ Parliament Speaker Oleksandr Moroz on Tuesday called for the widening of Ukraine??™s budget deficit to 3% of GDP, from about 2.6%, in order to increase social spending next year.

KIEV, Sept. 19 ??“ Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych??™s Regions Party, the largest group in Parliament, joined forces with two small leftist groups on Tuesday to approve a resolution that rejects Ukraine??™s quick accession to NATO.

KIEV, Sept. 20 - Ukrainian Parliament on Tuesday rejected Yuriy Yekhanurov, an ally of President Viktor Yushchenko, as the country??™s new prime minister, a move that may send shockwaves through the country??™s politics.

KIEV, Sept. 19 ??“ Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko??™s party on Monday has been pushing for a bill that would reduce President Viktor Yushchenko??™s powers starting Oct. 1, three months sooner than scheduled.

KIEV, Sept. 19 - Ukraine may next year start discussions with Russia over gradually reducing barter in natural gas trade within several years, Acting First Deputy Prime Minister Anatoliy Kinakh said Monday.

KIEV, Sept. 19 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko Monday met former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, a bitter rival at the last year??™s contested presidential election, seeking to secure support from lawmakers to approve his designate prime minister.