Russia has suggested that the arrest of former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko be discussed at the Russian-Ukrainian high-level talks in Sochi, Kyiv said.
"Moscow has informed Kyiv of its intention to include this issue on the agenda," an informed source told Interfax on Wednesday.
According to the practice, any issue proposed by either party will be added to the agenda, he said.
"It is completely obvious that Russia chose to ‘put all of its cards on the table’ in defending the gas agreements and the fate of its important political ally," the source said.
Russian authorities were not immediately available to comment on these statements.
On August 11, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych will be in Sochi on a working visit at Medvedev’s invitation. Apart from the announcement of Yanukovych’s Sochi trip, the website does not give any other information about the forthcoming meeting.
On August 5, Tymoshenko was arrested at a court hearing of the gas case. She is being held at the Lukyanivsky detention center.
On the same day, the Russian Foreign Ministry urged Ukraine to ensure an impartial trial of Tymoshenko, having confirmed that the 2009 gas agreements were signed on the instructions of the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
"We follow the principle that Tymoshenko’s trial must be fair and unbiased and meet all of the requirements of Ukrainian legislation, with the possibility of defense and compliance with elementary humanitarian standards and rules," it said.
"All gas agreements of 2009 strictly conformed to the national legislation of the two states and international law, and the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine had issued necessary directives for their signature," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
