KIEV, June 19 - Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists were locked in fierce fighting in the east of Ukraine on Thursday and a rebel commander acknowledged big losses among separatists heavily outgunned by government forces.

KIEV, June 18 – Ukraine and Belarus have exchanged instruments of ratification of a treaty on their state borders dated May 12, 1997.

KIEV, June 19 - President Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday denied speculation the government has been seeking to sell the country’s vast natural gas transportation system through privatization.

However, he said that cooperation with the European Union and Russia is needed to modernize the system.

KIEV, June 19 – Two opposition leaders out of three boycotted a meeting with President Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday in a further sign that the political crisis in Ukraine is likely to continue.

KIEV, June 19 – Ukrainian authorities are in talks with Western countries over the possibility for jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko to get medical treatment overseas, Arseniy Yatseniuk, the leader of Batkivshchyna party, said Wednesday.

KIEV, June 19 – Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has called for development of the Ukrainian version of Euronews.

"We want to see the development of relations with Euronews, and would like information about Ukraine to be objective first of all. We want Europe to know more about Ukraine," he said at the meeting with Euronews Director General Michael Peters, the Web site of the Cabinet of Ministers has reported.

KIEV, June 19 - The grain harvest in Ukraine in 2012 will be lower that last year due to adverse weather conditions, forecasts the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center.

DONETSK, June 19 – Following a disputed referee’s call, England edged out Ukraine to secure a spot in the European Championship quarterfinals.

KIEV, June 16 – Ukrainian Finance Minister Fedir Yaroshenko will in the next few days hold talks with representatives of the International Monetary Fund at its headquarters in Washington, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said.

KIEV, June 16 – Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Ukraine will be an impetus for the optimization of bilateral cooperation, head of Ukraine's Presidential Administration Serhiy Liovochkin said.