The governments of Austria and The Netherlands announced that ministers would be boycotting the Euro 2012 football tournament, being co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland, due to Ukraine's treatment of the imprisoned former prime minister, Yuliya Tymoshenko.
Austria said the decision was a "mark of solidarity" with Tymoshenko.
Welcoming the decisions, Tymoshenko urged other European states to follow.
Tymoshenko said,
“European leaders can’t be seen to support this repression by standing next to President Yanukovych.”
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has already stated that she may refuse to attend any matches held in Ukraine.
The German foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, highlighted the European Union's power to refuse to ratify trade and political agreements with Ukraine until the rule of law was respected.
Westerwelle said,
“The Ukrainian Government must know the path to Europe crosses a bridge which stands on two pillars: democracy and rule of law.”
On Monday, Croatia stated that its president, Ivo Josipovic would boycott a political summit due to be held in Ukraine next week, in protest at the human rights situation.
See our previous report:
German President cancels visit to Ukraine over treatment of ex-Premier (26 Apr 2012)