At EU-Ukraine summit 20 Dec European Council president Van Rompuy reported negotiations with Ukraine on association agreement completed, but signing depends on political developments, following Oct jailing of former PM Tymoshenko for abuse of office. Appeals court 23 Dec upheld Tymoshenko’s guilty verdict and sentence.

Prosecutors 11 Nov filed new charges against jailed former PM Tymoshenko, related to tax evasion, theft, concealing foreign currency. Russian and European leaders 8 Nov celebrated opening of Nord Stream natural gas pipeline, allowing transit of Russian gas directly to Western Europe, bypassing Ukraine and Belarus.

Former PM Tymoshenko convicted on abuse of office charges 11 Oct, sentenced to 7 years jail, fined $190m, barred from holding office for 3 years, over 2009 gas deal she signed with Russia while PM. Sentence provoked international condemnation; EU foreign policy chief Ashton said trial did not meet international standards, has “profound implications” for EU-Ukraine relationship; EU cancelled scheduled late-Oct visit by President Yanukovych. Authorities later announced opening new case against Tymoshenko for suspected embezzlement during 1990s, investigating her for alleged involvement in 1996 murder.

Against backdrop of criminal cases being pursued by state against former PM Tymoshenko and others in her govt for abuse of office during her time as premier, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele 11 Jan said Ukraine should not use criminal law for political ends.

Spate of investigations, arrests of members of govt under former PM and current opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko for alleged abuse of power and embezzlement of funds, including investigation of Tymoshenko herself, charged with embezzlement; former interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko arrested 26 Dec; also former environment minister, economy minister, and investigation into former deputy justice minister. Opposition said probes politically motivated, U.S. embassy in Ukraine 30 Dec expressed concern over “selective or politically motivated” prosecutions. Fight broke out in parliament 16 Dec after ruling party MPs stormed podium, blocked by MPs from opposition Fatherland party protesting investigation of Tymoshenko; 6 opposition MPs reportedly injured. Opposition 17 Dec called for dismissal of speaker, investigation, before walking out of parliament.

EU-Ukraine summit agreed on action plan towards visa-free travel 22 Nov. OSCE FMs 23 Nov announced Ukraine to chair body in 2013. President Yanukovych 30 Nov vetoed tax bill after widespread protests across country.

In move widely criticised as undemocratic and unconstitutional, Constitutional Court 1 Oct ruled parliament violated constitution in Dec 2004 by approving limits on presidential power, restored presidential authority to choose PM and cabinet without parliamentary confirmation. Widespread concern over deterioration of media freedoms and crackdown on opposition since Jan election of President Yanukovych, including statements by EU, OSCE. International audit revealed over $400mn public funds misappropriated under former PM Tymoshenko. Former Economy Minister Bohdan Danylyshyn arrested in Czech Republic 18 Oct for abuses while in office; Tymoshenko claimed his and other arrests of former officials politically motivated. Venezuelan President Chávez visiting mid-month signed energy deal with President Yanukovych; Venezuelan oil, gas fields open for development by Ukrainian energy companies, Ukraine to act as transit for supply of Venezuelan oil to Belarus. Russian PM Putin visiting late month said trade ties greatly improved since Yanukovich’s election.

Constitutional court expected to rule 1 Oct on application by parliamentary allies of President Yanukovych to overturn 2004 constitutional reforms transferring powers from president to parliament, govt.

Speaking at 24 Aug independence day ceremony, President Yanukovych called for reform of constitution to strengthen presidential powers, in order to push through reforms. Journalist Vasyl Klymentyev, well known critic of authorities, reported missing 12 Aug after receiving threats. Interior minister 26 Aug said security forces suspected of involvement in case.

Authorities banned attempted protests throughout country, detained 8 activists in Kyiv 26 July during visit by Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill 20-28 July. Bomb in Orthodox Church under Russian patriarchate in Zaporijia 28 July injured 9. Parliament 1 July passed law establishing country’s non-aligned status, effectively barring it from joining NATO. U.S. Sec State Clinton in Kyiv 2 July stressed NATO’s door remained open, said Ukraine can pursue close relations with both Russia and West.