The secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, Labour MP Helen Goodman, has described the recent arrest and sentencing of former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko as "unacceptable".
She spoke during a short Westminster Hall debate on 1 November 2011 on relations between the UK and Ukraine.
Ms Tymoshenko was given a seven year sentence at a court in Kiev for acting beyond her powers in sealing a gas deal with Russia in 2009.
This raised concerns during the debate over the independence of the Ukrainian judiciary, as they are appointed by the executive.
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne said the UK was a "friend" of Ukraine, but had an obligation to tell them "when their actions are incompatible with their ambitions".