KIEV, June 12 – Ukraine is waiting from Russia to take steps to de-escalate the situation in Donbas, otherwise, it will ask the international community to apply the next wave of sanctions, acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deschytsia said.

BRUSSELS, June 13 – The European Commission says it has made a first disbursement of EUR 250 million to Ukraine to support institutions and reforms in the country.

SIMFEROPOL, June 13 – The Mejlis (parliament) of the Crimean Tatar People has said it is concerned over cases of kidnapping and disappearances of people in Crimea, as well as Crimean authorities' lack of response to such cases.

KIEV, June 15 – Passage of an increase in retirement age for women before July 8 may help Ukraine secure $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund in August, Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Tyhypko said Wednesday.

KIEV, June 14 – Ukraine's talks with the International Monetary Fund about the start of a new cooperation program are being delayed due to a loss of the fund's confidence in Kiev, caused by the failure of the country's former leadership to fulfill their promises, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said.

LUXEMBOURG, June 15 – Ukraine vitally needs to continue its democratic development, based on the principles of respect for human rights, the supremacy of law and freedom of speech, said EU High Representative Catherine Ashton.

KIEV, June 15 – The Ukrainian government has approved a procedure for the use of funds of UAH 1.04 billion from the stabilization fund to provide citizens with apartments, and UAH 900.7 billion directly spent to finance construction of affordable housing.

KIEV, June 14 – An unidentified crew was caught on film on Tuesday while apparently conducting surveillance over the headquarters of TVi, an independent television station that has recently come under pressure from the authorities.

The crew of three in Daewoo Lanos car attempted to shield their faces and later escaped when a TVi cameraman approached them in the car.

KIEV, June 14 – An accredited television journalist was brutally attacked and thrown to the ground by a guard of President Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday while covering an agriculture equipment show in Kiev region.

KIEV, June 15 – Ukraine should hold new talks with Russia to review the gas accords signed in January, said the Ukrainian president's commissioner for international energy security, Bohdan Sokolovsky.