KIEV, Ukraine—A summit aimed at anchoring Ukraine in Europe fell flat on Monday, as the European Union warned it wouldn't sign a trade and political-association deal with Kiev unless the government took steps to release jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Both sides hailed the conclusion of negotiations on the deal as a stride toward a free-trade agreement and deeper political ties, but the summit in Kiev was overshadowed by the case of the opposition leader, who was convicted in October on abuse-of-office charges.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy told Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych that the signing of the agreement "will depend on political circumstances."
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Yulia Tymoshenko, shown in June
"Our strong concern is primarily related to the risks of politically motivated justice in Ukraine. The Tymoshenko trial is the most striking example," Mr. Van Rompuy said.
Ms. Tymoshenko is appealing her seven-year sentence, which she says is an attempt by Mr. Yanukovych to sideline his main political rival.
U.S. and European officials have pressed the president to find a way to release his longtime foe, whom he narrowly defeated in the 2010 election. He has refused, and authorities have launched several new criminal probes relating to her stint as head of a gas company in the mid-1990s.
After a two-hour meeting with Mr. Yanukovych and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Mr. Van Rompuy said Ukraine's parliamentary elections next year will be a "litmus test." He urged Kiev to push ahead with judicial reforms and ensure media freedoms and freedom of assembly.
Mr. Yanukovych gave no indication after the meeting that he was prepared to back down and push for Ms. Tymoshenko's release.
The EU's statements underscored the dilemma it faces as it tries to press Mr. Yanukovych to curb alleged pressure on the opposition and media while not pushing him too hard toward neighboring Russia.
Moscow is trying to entice Ukraine into tighter economic and political ties with offers of discounts on natural-gas supplies. Negotiations on a new gas contract, which have been going on for more than 18 months, have stumbled in recent weeks.
Mr. Yanukovych, who will fly to Moscow on Tuesday for a meeting of regional leaders, said talks with Russia on a new gas agreement were tough. "It's difficult at the moment to say how they will finish," he said, in comments carried by Interfax news agency.
He said the conclusion of negotiations with the EU confirmed Ukraine's choice to move toward closer ties with Europe.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, Herman Van Rompuy, Van Rompuy, European Union, Ukraine, political ties, political ties, Tymoshenko, Europe, Kiev
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