Ukraine’s parliament has delayed a key vote on the release of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshenko, a move that threatens to derail the ex-Soviet republic’s push toward the European Union and shift it back into Russia’s orbit.

A violent brawl between supporters of the Ukrainian president and opposition lawmakers broke out in parliament yesterday, nearly overshadowing the naming of a new pro-government speaker to lead the fractious body.

Ukraine’s newly elected parliament has chosen a pro-government speaker amid violent brawls between supporters of the president and opposition politicians.