Moscow times cited Ms Yulia Tymoshenko PM of Ukraine as saying that Ukraine, which needed aid from the International Monetary Fund to avert a default, has secured new loans from two countries to cover its budget deficit this year.

She said at a government meeting that Ukraine is in talks with six powerful and financially stable countries on loans to cover the 2009 deficit of slightly over 2%.

Ms Tymoshenko said that “Government does not want to revise the budget, which is being fulfilled as planned."

Mr Viktor Yushchenko president of Ukraine called on the government to revise the budget, however, saying it was unrealistic. He said that the government should balance spending and revenue to avoid surging inflation and social catastrophe."

Ukraine's opposition lawmakers physically blocked legislators from entering the parliament Tuesday until they won a promise to hold a no-confidence vote against the government on Thursday.

The Party of the Regions led by pro-Russian Mr Viktor Yanukovych barred entrance to the assembly during the morning, hampering the opening of the first session following a holiday.

(Sourced from Moscow times)