KIEV, May 5 - Ukraine's jailed and ailing ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko tentatively agreed to have her back condition treated at a local hospital under the supervision of a German doctor, The Associated Press reported.

The development may ease tensions with European officials who consider Tymoshenko a political prisoner.

The 51-year-old Tymoshenko is on a hunger strike to protest alleged mistreatment in prison as she serves a seven-year sentence on charges of abusing her powers when she was prime minister.

Critics have described her case as politically motivated, saying President Viktor Yanukovych, Tymoshenko's rival in the 2010 presidential election, orchestrated her prosecution. Government officials have denied any claims of bias in the case.

Tymoshenko has claimed she was beaten by prison guards and showed bruises. But Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka told reporters Friday that there are no grounds to assert that she had been beaten.

Her case has become a public-relations nightmare for Ukraine, as prominent European officials have been talking about boycotting soccer matches that Ukraine is hosting with Poland for the continent's euro 2012 championships that begin in June.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle confirmed the deal securing treatment for Tymoshenko with a German doctor’s participation, saying it was a positive first step and talks with the Ukrainian leadership to achieve a sustainable solution will continue.

Tymoshenko lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko said the treatment for a herniated disc will start Tuesday at a hospital in the eastern city of Kharkiv where she is jailed. He said Tymoshenko will give her final approval after meeting with her attorneys next week.

Tymoshenko aide Alexander Turchinov on Friday raised alarm about the former premier's health.

"She's been on a hunger strike for 15 days," he said. "Her life is in real danger." Vlasenko said Tymoshenko has visibly lost weight, was drinking only water and mostly stayed in bed.

European leaders threatened to boycott the Euro 2012 soccer tournament in Ukraine in June unless the authorities free Tymoshenko to allow her proper medical treatment.

German leader Angela Merkel said earlier this month that she and her cabinet would not attend any games played in Ukraine, which is co-hosting the tournament with Poland, unless the human rights situation under Yanukovych improved.

The president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and Viviane Reding, the commissioner for justice, also said they would not be traveling to Ukraine. The Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, announced he was canceling a visit to Yalta, while Germany's president, Joachim Gauck, called off a trip to the same central European leaders' summit last week.

A European commission spokeswoman said that "as things stand" Barroso had "no intention of going" to Euro 2012. She described Tymoshenko's predicament as "a very, very serious situation.”

“It gives rise to very serious concern," she added. (ap/tl/ez)