Ukraine Delays Freeing Ex-Leader

Ukraine’s parliament postponed on Wednesday consideration of a bill that would have freed Yulia V. Tymoshenko, the jailed former prime minister, and allowed her medical treatment in Germany. The release of Tymoshenko, whose jailing many in the West saw as illegitimate and motivated by her opponents, is a precondition for a series of political and trade deals between Ukraine and Western countries. In addition, two other bills required by the European Union for trade agreements were delayed by President Viktor F. Yanukovich’s party. Russia has threatened Ukraine financially and politically if it goes forward with agreements to align itself with the EU. Tymoshenko is allegedly suffering from extreme back pain.