DONETSK, Ukraine: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday said Europe should not humiliate its eastern neighbour as Kiev struggles with its severest diplomatic crisis yet in ties with the EU.
Ukraine earlier this month shelved a European summit it was to host ahead of the Euro 2012 football championships after most participants pulled out in protest over the treatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
"It's very important that we not be humiliated," Yanukovych said on a visit to the eastern Russian-speaking industrial powerhouse of Donetsk. "We will not allow this to happen. We are doing everything so that such situations are not repeated." The EU Commission also said that all EU commissioners will also boycott Euro football matches hosted by Ukraine, a move that could be matched by ministers from Germany and other states.
Yanukovych's arch-enemy Tymoshenko was jailed for seven years in October on charges of abuse of power while in office, after a trial that was bitterly criticised by the West as appearing politically motivated.Yanukovych said Ukraine shared Europe's concern over the fate of Tymoshenko but indicated European officials might need to tone down their rhetoric.
Ukraine earlier this month shelved a European summit it was to host ahead of the Euro 2012 football championships after most participants pulled out in protest over the treatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
"It's very important that we not be humiliated," Yanukovych said on a visit to the eastern Russian-speaking industrial powerhouse of Donetsk. "We will not allow this to happen. We are doing everything so that such situations are not repeated." The EU Commission also said that all EU commissioners will also boycott Euro football matches hosted by Ukraine, a move that could be matched by ministers from Germany and other states.
Yanukovych's arch-enemy Tymoshenko was jailed for seven years in October on charges of abuse of power while in office, after a trial that was bitterly criticised by the West as appearing politically motivated.Yanukovych said Ukraine shared Europe's concern over the fate of Tymoshenko but indicated European officials might need to tone down their rhetoric.