KIEV, March 23 – Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko left for Brussels on Wednesday to ask European leaders for “preventive measures” to stop President Viktor Yanukovych and his government from turning democracy into authoritarian rule.

Tymoshenko, who is under investigation by the authorities for the alleged abuse of power while prime minister in 2009, said Yanukovych has been trying to destroy his political opponents.

“It is very important now that the leaders of the European Union understand how difficult the situation in Ukraine is,” she said. “It’s better not waiting until the president [Yanukovych] begins to shoot at peaceful protesters.”

“It’s better to take the preventive measures to stop the authoritarian rule from spreading,” Tymoshenko said.

Tymoshenko is expected to participate at a meeting of European People’s Party in Brussels on Thursday.

She will also meet European leaders, including Jerzy Buzek, European Parliament president, Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, and Stefan Fule, the EU commissioner for enlargement and the European Neighborhood Policy.

Yanukovych’s government is currently holding difficult talks with the EU over the free trade, and also seeking to get closer political ties if an agreement is reached before the end of the year.

Tymoshenko’s message may seek to link the progress in the talks to Yanukovych’s track record with the democracy in Ukraine.

Tymoshenko’s travel is restricted by the authorities due to the investigations, but she was allowed to visit Brussels earlier this month. The authorities twice rejected her request to visit Brussels in February, arguing that she may ask for political asylum in other countries.