You're reading: Bloomberg: Tymoshenko prison sentence strengthens Russia

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s prison sentence may have squashed President Viktor Yanukovych’s drive for closer ties with the European Union, putting him at Russia’s mercy before gas-price talks. Tymoshenko, 50, was sent to prison on Oct. 11 for abuse of power when signing a 10-year gas supply and transit agreements with Russia in 2009. The verdict may have “profound implications” for Ukraine’s relations with the EU, Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for the bloc’s executive, said. The U.S. also condemned the sentencing. Read full story here.