Tymoshenko Agreed to go to Germany for Treatment

UKRAINE - In Brief 04 Oct 2013 by Dmytro Boyarchuk

Finally we have a piece of positive news about Ukraine, the jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko agreed to go to Germany for treatment thus opening the way for signing EU Association agreement in November.Recall, over the last few months the main uncertainty about potential EU Association agreement was related to the Tymoshenko issue.  Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was sentenced for 7 years in jail in 2011.  EU treated this sentence as selective justice and requested to release Yulia Tymoshenko. This requirement was included to the must-list before signing EU Association agreement. However, the authorities complained that Tymoshenko by herself does not accept this way out.  Observers even speculated about possible position of EU before Eastern Partnership Summit if that will be on the side of former prime-minister not to go out of jail.And finally today we have public declaration that Tymoshenko has accepted proposal to leave Ukraine for treatment.Though it is a great relieve to everyone, it does not mean that the story has ended.  In fact, the most important events are still ahead. Firstly, we still should see if Viktor Yanukovytch indeed lets Yulia Tymoshenko go.  Secondly, if Tymoshenko issue is indeed resolved we should see very soon adverse reaction of Russia that wants to make it costly for Ukraine moving to EU.  Thirdly, it is a big question what Yulia Tymoshenko will do after her treatment in Germany – so far hardly any believes she will step down from political activity.Put it different this move of Yulia Tymoshenko is not the end of the game, it is only the start of new exciting combination we should see unfolding in the near future. 

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