European Parliament president welcomes reported release of Yulia Tymoshenko

The president of the European Parliament (EP) Martin Schulz on Saturday welcomed the reported release of Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. "On behalf of the European Parliament, I warmly welcome the reports of Yulia Tymoshenko's release from prison," said Schulz in his statement, "This is an historic moment for Ukraine and Europe. My thoughts are with Yulia, her family and supporters." "The situation in Ukraine is very fluid," he said, "The announcement of Presidential elections for 25 May is particularly welcome and important. Change is coming to Ukraine." Schulz also called for all parts of Ukraine to remain calm. An official delegation of 12 members of the EP traveled to Kiev on Saturday afternoon to meet with counterparts in the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) and discuss future assistance. The ITAR-Tass news agency reported Saturday that Yulia Tymoshenko has been released from prison. Tymoshenko, a key opposition leader, was convicted in October 2011 ofabuse of power over a 2009 gas deal with Russia. She was also charged with embezzling an estimated 405 million U.S. dollars and evading tax worth more than 87,000 dollars in the 1990s. The 53-year-old opposition leader, who is now receiving medical treatment in a state hospital in Kharkov city in eastern Ukraine, has denied all the charges, saying they are politically motivated.