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.