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Ukraine's former Prime Minister out of jail
Yulia Tymoshenko is freed from jail after three years in prison.
The release of former Ukraine PM Yulia Tymoshenko sends shockwaves through Ukrainian politics, at a moment of deep turmoil following the worst unrest in the sprawling country since the days of the Soviet Union.
Ousted after Yanukovich beat her to the presidency in 2010, she was jailed in 2011 over a gas deal she signed with Russia. She spent much of her incarceration in hospital for a back problem in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
The West said her imprisonment was politically motivated, and the European Union repeatedly pressed for her release, only to be rebuffed by Yanukovich.
The President of the European People's Party (EPP), Joseph Daul, hailed her release. Tymoshenko was the leader of EPP member party Batkivshchyna, who had been imprisoned since 2011.
Her release comes after months of demonstrations by pro-European Ukrainians opposed to the Yanukovich regime.
"After nearly three years of unjust and politically motivated imprisonment by the Yanukovich regime, Yulia Tymoshenko is finally free. On behalf of the entire EPP political family, I express our great relief and sense of elation now that Yulia Tymoshenko is finally safe and reunited with her loved ones," Daul said.
"Yulia Tymoshenko has been a constant source of pride and inspiration to all of us in the EPP family. Despite her imprisonment and the brutality she endured, she has persevered and ultimately prevailed. Yulia Tymoshenko's freedom today constitutes a tremendous vindication not only for her and her family, but for all who believe in a European Ukraine anchored in democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
"The EPP is proud to have stood up repeatedly for Yulia Tymoshenko throughout her long ordeal, even when others did not. She has been constantly in our thoughts, and her absence at EPP Summits and Congresses left a striking void. We eagerly await the opportunity to soon welcome Yulia Tymoshenko back into the work of our political family."
The EPP continues to stand by all Ukrainians who seek a more democratic, prosperous and European Ukraine. "We must ensure that these ideals remain at the heart of Ukraine's reform process going forward," he said.
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Are the EU Leaders another form of DICTATORSHIP. Wasn't Yanukovich democratically? If so then why intervene in Egypt, their president was also democratically elected. The People of Syria wanted to get rid of their President by they didn't intervene to the event of removing him. Is the EU a real Democratic Club. I doubt it very much. I think its more like what good for the goose is not good for the gander. In Ukraine some 100 died and its a shame for humanity, but in Syria thousand died and they were left alone. What a shame on the EU CLUB. Aren't we ALL human Being who have the right to live in peace and prosperity, or there are some things that doesn't make us equal to one and all? I hope that Ukraine now will live in peace and progress because where EU has intervene disasters followed.
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This is typical of the way the EU is acting. First 3 EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs brokered an agreement between Yanukovic and the opposition just yesterday, with their signature on the documents, and the next day they allowed the same agreement to be shattered by those they supported. It is clear that the EU has lost most in this Ukraine debaucle for it has lost all its credibility as a negotiating partner. No one will trust the EU on such matters again. And Russia will not stand by - just wait and see.
