The European Union still expects to meet with Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych this week, despite the standoff over the imprisonment of ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko.
Yanukovych is heading to Brussels on Thursday for negotiations on a free-trade agreement with the 27-nation EU, but harsh EU criticism over last week’s sentencing of Tymoshenkoto seven years in prison for abuse of office has dampened expectations.
EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said Monday the EU "should, despite the deteriorating situation, meet him and pass on our very clear messages" to improve democratic and judicial standards.
EU officials said a vote in the Ukraine parliament Tuesday or Wednesday, which could turnTymoshenko’ssentence from a criminal offense into an economic one and eventually allow her release, would create a much better climate for the meeting.
