KIEV, Feb. 2 – The Ukrainian government's intentions to sign an amicable agreement with Vanco Prykerchenska Ltd means that the authorities want to give up the country's strategic oil and gas field to business tycoons, ex-premier and leader of Batkivschyna Party Yulia Tymoshenko has said.

"I've read that Ukraine has decided to sign an amicable agreement with Vanco in February ... In fact, this is a tragedy that is currently unfolding in Ukraine. This indicates that Ukraine's oligarchy has finally decided to take over the main oil and gas field - the Black Sea shelf - to take it away from the people of Ukraine, to take it without paying for it, [and] take it without any conditions," Tymoshenko told journalists in Kiev after her questioning at the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.