I still believe that the conviction of Yulia Tymoshenko and the other pending trials against her and other members of her former government are motivated by political bias.
We expect Ukraine to guarantee due process of law and the independence of the judiciary.
Moreover, prisoners in ill health need to be given appropriate medical treatment.
Ukraine is a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights and must fulfil its obligations thereunder. Together with its partners in the European Union, the German Government will follow the trials against Yulia Tymoshenko as well as developments in Ukraine very carefully. Ukraine needs to safeguard the rule of law, ensure the independence of its judiciary and hold free and fair parliamentary elections in October as indispensable requirements for moving the country closer to the European Union.