NOVO-OGARYOVO, June 29 – The doubling of the Russia-Ukraine trade is a result of normalization of relations between the two countries in the political sphere, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said at th beginning of a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Monday.

KIEV, June 25 – The Ukrainian cabinet has prolonged cabinet resolution No. 925 of October 14, 2008 on measures to stabilize the situation in the metals, mining and chemical sectors of Ukraine for another three months – until October 1, 2009.

KIEV, June 26 - The Ukrainian government stepped in to solve a management dispute at UkrTransNafta, the state-owned oil shipper, which had been plaguing the company since Monday, a government official said Friday.

The dispute escalated Monday when two managers, Ihor Kiriushyn and Oleksandr Lazorko, had claimed control over the company that moves a bulk of Russian crude oil for exports to the European Union.

KIEV, June 29 – The European Union on Monday submitted proposals to Ukraine for an undisclosed loan aimed at helping the country to buy enough Russian natural gas ensure steady gas transit in the winter.

KIEV, June 27 – President Viktor Yushchenko’s party, Our Ukraine, on Saturday gave its four renegade lawmakers one week to quit the Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko-led coalition, warning that otherwise they would be expelled from the party.

KIEV, June 29 ??“ Ukraine??™s current account deficit growth has slowed down significantly in May after exports increased due to stronger demand for steel, Valeriy Lytvytsky, chief economist at the central bank, said.

KIEV, June 29 - A Ukrainian government team, led by Energy and Fuel Minister Ivan Plachkov, left for Turkmenistan on Thursday for natural gas talks, the ministry??™s press service reported.

KIEV, June 29 ??“ The Regions Party, the largest opposition group in Ukraine??™s Parliament, stepped up pressure on pro-government groups Thursday by calling on their supporters to get ready for mass street protests.

KIEV, June 29 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko on Thursday called on pro-government and opposition groups to end their standoff in Parliament and to immediately start negotiations that would allow the legislature to resume operation.

KIEV, June 24 ??“ The Fuel and Energy Ministry is in talks with Deutsche Bank on borrowing $1.5 billion for financing domestic energy projects. Deputy Energy Minister Serhiy Tytenko told reporters, according to Interfax-Ukraine.