KYIV, July 26 - Ukraine on Thursday extended a freeze on gas prices until at least Sept. 1, reducing its prospects of securing more money from the International Monetary Fund needed to keep its war-battered economy on a stable footing, Reuters reported.

Ukraine must raise gas prices to market levels in order to qualify for more aid under a $17.5 billion IMF program. It initially agreed to raise prices under a jointly agreed formula but has since postponed price rises a number of times.