Tymoshenko urges EU to repel Russia in Crimea

The freed political prisoner who has become one of the symbols of the Ukrainian revolution has said Europe must act to repel Russian aggression.

Speaking in Dublin tonight at the congress of the centre-right European People's Party, Yulia Tymoshenko claimed Russia was holding the people of Crimea at gunpoint.

She is one of the favourites for leadership in her country when presidential elections are held later this year.

She also paid tribute to the bravery of hundreds killed or injured during anti-government demonstrations which led to the toppling of Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.

Also attending the congress were Ukrainian opposition figurehead and former world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, as well as former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, whose country was invaded by Russia in 2008.

`In recent weeks Ukraine became more than a country, it became a symbol, an idea, the idea of Europe in freedom, the idea of Europe in strength, don't let this be broken,'' Tymoshenko said through an interpreter.

She claimed European nation building contrasted sharply with Russia’s use of the Kalashnikov firearm.

“The Kremlin must understand that Ukraine is a state and not a territory, a sovereign nation that is free to join Europe,” she added.

“It is not a vassal...or a colony that can be driven into a cage.

“We are different, we are free and we want something else than (Vladimir) Putin can give us today.

“For the Kremlin to understand a simple truth, we need action, we need a bit of Europe, which has always spoken in one voice.”

The former prime minister, 53, is seen as a strong contender at the next presidential election. Her Fatherland party dominates the current parliament.

But the former star of the 2004 Orange Revolution was defeated in 2010 in a vote considered free and fair by outside observers.

She was jailed for seven years in 2011, was freed on February 22 and travelled from Kharkiv to address Kiev crowds.

She is a former figure in the gas industry establishment.

Ms Tymoshenko told the Dublin audience here was little time left to rescue Crimea ahead of this month’s poll on its future and warned against allowing Russia to hold a referendum “at gunpoint” on the annexation of Crimea later this month.

“The issue is the survival of our country, of our democracy and ancient nation,” she added.

“The time has come to force everyone including the Russian leadership to understand that Europe exists and that it will not tolerate the largest European country being torn to shreds.”

The charismatic former prime minister of Ukraine said nobody would have thought a few weeks ago that she would be free and speaking in Dublin.

“I did not know if I would be alive and that is true.

“My freedom and the freedom of Ukraine became possible just because Ukraine had the real, real revolution. This was made possible through democracy, revolution and the sacrifice of many Ukrainians.

“Together we triumphed over dictatorship in Ukraine.

“On behalf of all Ukrainians in the whole world I ask you to act now. We are in a very difficult situation again. Putin will go as far in capturing Ukraine if the whole democratic world allows him to.”

Her intervention followed an address Klitschko, who emerged as a political campaigner during Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution. He was vocal during the recent Maidan protests in Kiev which led to the flight of Mr Yanukovych.

He claimed Russia’s military action was a provocation against Ukraine which broke the constitution enshrining the republic’s sovereignty.

“Everybody has to work and Ukraine has to be an independent country. It is provocation, I am more than sure.”

The 6ft 7in ex-boxer added: “We are going to continue fighting for our country. We see Ukraine as a modern, democratic country.”

He claimed Russia was using language to divide the country, to split Russian speakers from the rest.

“All of this was a scenario created by Putin.”

He laid out four ambitions for government, adding the country wanted to build relations on the basis of respect, solidarity and responsibility.

Aims include:

:: Becoming a member of the European Union.

:: Immediately beginning negotiations on Nato membership.

:: Promoting a free press and human rights.

:: Organising transparent presidential elections on May 25.