KIEV, March 17 - Ukraine's parliament voted on Tuesday to offer limited self-rule to pro-Russian rebels in the east to try to preserve Western support for peace efforts, despite some deputies saying it would give separatists more scope to tighten their grip on the region, Reuters reported.

MOSCOW, March 17 - Crimea's Supreme Council has declared independence from Ukraine.

"The decree 'On the Independence of Crimea' was passed at an extraordinary session of the Crimean Supreme Council on March 17, 2014. It was favored by 85 deputies," the Council said on Monday.

KIEV, March 17 – A new Stand-by Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund could be agreed by late March, Economic Development and Trade Minister Pavlo Sheremeta said.

MOSCOW, March 17 - No significant decrease in trade relations between Russia and the European Union is expected in case the EU introduces sanctions against Russia following the Crimean referendum, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said.

MOSCOW, March 17 - Russia proposed on Monday creating an international "support group" to mediate in the Ukraine crisis but outlined terms that Kiev said were absolutely unacceptable and the West is unlikely to welcome, Reuters reported.

KIEV, March 17 - The pro-Russian authorities of Ukraine’s breakaway region of Crimea on Monday declared continental shelf in the Black Sea around the peninsula as property of Crimea to ensure its “energy security."

BRUSSELS, March 17 - Ukraine will sign an agreement on closer political cooperation with the European Union on Friday, leaving the signature of a more far-reaching trade accord for later, the EU said on Monday.

BRUSSELS, March 17 - The United States and the European Union imposed personal sanctions on Monday on Russian and Crimean officials involved in the seizure of Crimea from Ukraine as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the region as a sovereign state.

KIEV, March 14 - Ukraine will continue to reduce the amount of Russian gas it buys as long as its price remains high, President Viktor Yanukovych said.

KIEV, March 14 - Kiev and Moscow's gas negotiations are a matter separate from the negotiation process searching for a cooperation format for Ukraine and the Customs Union, President Viktor Yanukovych said.