NEW YORK, Oct. 11 – The United States, in strong language, on Tuesday demanded the release of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko after she was sentenced to seven years for negotiating a 10-year natural gas agreement with Russia in 2009.

A special statement issued by the White House echoes serious criticism from across European capitals, and even from Moscow, alleging the trial has been politically motivated.

The sweeping international reaction indicates that President Viktor Yanukovych comes under growing pressure, and perhaps may soon start facing setbacks on his declared promises of reaching important trade and political deals with the EU.

“The United States is deeply disappointed with the conviction and sentencing of Tymoshenko through a politically motivated prosecution,” the White House said in the statement.

“The charges against Tymoshenko and the conduct of her trial, as well as the prosecution of other opposition leaders and members of the preceding government, have raised serious concerns about the Government of Ukraine’s commitment to democracy and rule of law.

“The United States urges the release of Tymoshenko and the other political leaders and former government officials, and believes that they should have an unrestricted ability to participate fully in political life, including next year’s parliamentary elections,” the statement said.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Tuesday the sentencing will have an impact on the EU’s policy towards Ukraine.

“The EU will reflect on its policies towards Ukraine,” Ashton said. “The way the Ukrainian authorities will generally respect universal values and rule of law, and specifically how they will handle these cases, risks having profound implications for the EU-Ukraine bilateral relationship.”

Russia also raised concerns about the verdict, suggesting that the development may affect Ukraine’s attempts to re-negotiate the 20098 gas agreement as Kiev seeks to reduce gas prices.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he did not understand why Tymoshenko had been jailed for seven years, while Russia’s foreign ministry said the affair had a “clear anti-Russian subtext” and insisted that the gas deal had been agreed in strict accordance with Russian and Ukrainian law. The ministry ended its statement with the stark words: “Agreements should be fulfilled.”

Alyona Getmanchuk, director of the World Policy Institute in Kiev, in an Op-Ed for the New York Times/IHT, wrote the Tymoshenko verdict will worsen Ukraine’s relations virtually with everybody.

“The Tymoshenko case stands to seriously harm Ukraine’s relations with the European Union — relations which are essential to Ukraine’s future,” Getmanchuk wrote.

“The guilty verdict against Tymoshenko clearly will not improve relations with Russia,” Getmanchuk wrote. “It is more likely to worsen Yanukovych’s relations with Putin than to make Russia more compliant on gas prices. That is not what Yanukovych needs in advance of parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.” (tl/ez)