Kiev, July 20 (Interfax) - Standard & Poor`s Ratings Services announced today it had raised its long-term sovereign credit rating on the Republic of Ukraine to `B+` from `B`, reflecting improved external liquidity and economic prospects.

Standard & Poor`s affirmed its `B` short-term rating on Ukraine. The outlook is "stable." "The upgrade is supported by the country`s continued improvement in external liquidity and government debt levels, together with its recent robust economic performance and its growth potential," said Standard & Poor`s credit analyst Helena Hessel.