KIEV, Jan. 16 - U.S. Senator Richard Lugar views Ukraine as a key element of Europe's energy security.

Energy routes running through Ukraine make it a core element of guaranteeing energy security in many European countries, Lugar told a news conference in Kiev on Wednesday.

KIEV, Jan. 16 - NATO is considering using Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft belonging to Ukrainian and Russian companies in its operations on a permanent basis, Executive Director of Antonov Airlines Kostiantyn Lushakov said on Tuesday.

KIEV, Jan. 16 ??“ Ukraine ranks 125th out of 161 countries in the rating of economic freedom published annually by the Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation, the Heritage Foundation's official Web site has reported.

KIEV, Jan. 17 ??“ Ukraine??™s economic growth will probably slow down to 4.5% on the year, while inflation will be at 10.7%, which is higher than has been forecast by the government, a World Bank economist said Wednesday.

KIEV, Jan. 17 ??“ Adam Martyniuk, Parliament??™s deputy speaker and a member of the pro-government coalition, admitted Wednesday some clauses of the recently approved law reducing powers of President Viktor Yushchenko may be rejected by the Constitutional Court.

KIEV, Jan. 17 ??“ Yevhen Kushnariov, a prominent lawmaker and an ally of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, died on Wednesday of gunshot wounds apparently received as a result of a hunting incident, officials said.

KIEV, Jan. 17 - President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov are likely to attend a parliamentary session Thursday seeking ways of improving cooperation between the government and lawmakers.

KIEV, Jan. 17 ??“ Ukraine will build a $3 bln liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in a Black Sea port to diversify imports of natural gas and to boost gas exports to Europe, an official said Tuesday.

KIEV, Jan. 17 ??“ Ukraine, following its bitter natural gas dispute with Russia, will seek to build new gas pipelines that would increase shipments of gas to Europe from Central Asia, President Viktor Yushchenko said.

KIEV, Jan. 17 ??“ Beer output in Ukraine in 2006 may increase by 10% year-on-year ??“ to 260 mln decaliters, according to experts of the association of major Ukrainian breweries, Ukrpyvo.