KIEV, Aug. 16 – Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Tyhypko, who finished third in the January 2010 presidential election, on Tuesday announced plans to merge his Strong Ukraine party with President Viktor Yanukovych’s Regions Party.

KIEV, Aug. 16 – A Kiev court on Monday postponed for 10 days its ruling over television frequencies amid mounting criticism of Ukrainian authorities for alleged restrictions on the freedom of speech.

KIEV, Aug. 13 – The forest fire situation in Ukraine is difficult, but it cannot be compared with that seen in Russia, said Mykola Shershun, chairman of the State Forestry Committee.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 – The United States considers Ukraine a sovereign state that has the right to conduct independent policies, Philip J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, said, commenting on a letter by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yushchenko.

KIEV, Aug. 14 – Ukraine's economy will get a boost from the cut in the discount rate and "working" refinancing rates if the National Bank of Ukraine also supports measures by other power institutions to bolster economic activity in the country, according to Valeriy Lytvytsky, the head of the group of advisors to the NBU's governor.

KIEV, Aug. 14 – Ukraine as a sovereign state will decide on its domestic and foreign policies independently, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said.

KIEV, Aug. 14 - President Viktor Yushchenko on Friday appointed Lakshmi Mittal, the chief executive of ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker, as a member of a 10-strong investment council advising the authorities on investment policy.

KIEV, Aug. 14 – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday rejected calls from President Viktor Yushchenko for talks to discuss problems, suggesting relations between Moscow and Kiev will continue to deteriorate during the next six months.

KHARKIV, Aug. 16 – Ukraine has won a tender to supply armored personnel carriers to Thailand, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych said.

KIEV, Aug. 16 - Ukraine may face an energy crisis by the end of the year because Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the national oil and gas company, has failed to accumulate sufficient reserves of natural gas, a top official said Thursday.