On 21 November, Ukraine’s parliament failed to pass bills that would have enabled the release of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshneko. Members of President Viktor Yanukovych’s Party of Regions did not vote in favour of even one of the six bills meant to allow Tymosehnko’s release, despite the presence of two top EU envoys, who have been lobbying for a solution for months.
The failure to pass the bills deals a strong blow to Kiev’s chances of integration with the European Union. The West calls Tymoshenko’s seven-year sentence for abuse of office politically motivated and has refused to sign a landmark association agreement with Kiev at a summit this week unless she is freed.
“It is President Viktor Yanukovych who is personally blocking Ukraine's movement toward the European Union,” opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk told parliament in an emotional speech after the vote failed.
The vote on 21 November was an opportunity for Ukraine to fulfil the main EU condition for the deal to be signed. But theoretically Yanukovych still has until right before the summit begins on 28 November to secure Tymoshenko’s release either by pardoning her or by having parliament pass the necessary law this week.
On 20 November, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said at a session of the Heads of Government of Commonwealth Independent States that Kiev remained committed to signing an association agreement with the EU. But he added that repairing ties with Russia remained a priority. “Our plans remain unchanged ... the setbacks in trade, especially with Russia, have led to considerable losses in terms of the GDP and budget incomes,” Azarov said.
One day before the Parliament’s vote, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood policy Stefan Füle had said after his visit in Kiev, Ukraine. “I appreciate the considerable progress which has been made during the last months ... I am encouraged to see the determination of the President and of the Speaker of the Parliament [Volodymyr] Rybak in co-operation with all parliamentary factions to adopt key legislation on 21st November 2013 on parliamentary elections, a new law on the prosecutors general’s office and a new law on the medical treatment of prisoners abroad”.
However, the new law on the medical treatment of prisoners abroad which would have allowed the transfer of Tymoshenko in Germany was not approved by the Parliament.