BRUSSELS — The European Union's enlargement chief said Tuesday that he expected Ukraine to allow jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko to go to Germany for medical treatment before a Nov. 28 to 29 meeting, removing an obstacle to an EU-Ukraine trade pact.
"I think we are not far away from that," European Commissioner Stefan Fuele told reporters when asked if Tymoshenko was close to being allowed to go to Germany.
"I definitely expect that to have happened before the Vilnius summit."
Tymoshenko, a bitter rival of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, was jailed for seven years in 2011 for abuse of office after what the EU and Western governments said was a political trial.
EU governments have linked her release to the signing of an EU-Ukraine association and free trade agreement at a summit scheduled for Nov. 28 to 29 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The agreement could lead to a historic shift westwards for Ukraine, away from Russia, its old Soviet master.
The EU has demanded a series of democratic reforms by Kiev before the Vilnius summit, including ending politically motivated justice. "Seeing the progress on all other benchmarks, I think it would only make sense if the Ukrainians deliver on this remaining benchmark," Fuele said.
Tymoshenko suffers from spinal problems and has received treatment from specialists while under guard at a hospital in Ukraine. Germany has offered to take her for medical treatment, and if she is released she is expected to travel there.
However, that still leaves open the question of whether she will be pardoned by Yanukovych. While he may accede to her leaving the country for treatment, there are doubts about whether he would issue a pardon to such a hardened rival.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
