Ukraine - Tymoshenko trial

Commenting on the ruling against former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms and Green MEP Werner Schulz said:

"This politically-motivated ruling is a backwards step for the rule of law in the Ukraine and a blow to EU-Ukraine rapprochement. Nobody should be under any illusions that this court case was designed to scupper the prospects of the political opposition in the Ukraine ahead of next year's parliamentary elections. Even if the ruling is subsequently overturned, this episode has damaged the credibility of the Ukrainian government.

"While the Greens are in favour of concluding an EU-Ukraine association agreement, guaranteeing the rule of law and making democratic progress is a precondition for this. Today's ruling is clearly a blow to this end."