Ukrainian ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko exceeded her powers when she ordered state energy firm Naftogazto sign a gas deal with Russia in 2009, a judge ruled on Tuesday, October 11.

According to Reuters, state prosecutors have asked the court to sentence Tymoshenko, the main political opponent of President Viktor Yanukovich, to seven years in jail for illegally forcing through the gas deal.

The European Union, one of Ukraine's main trading partners along with Russia, has told Yanukovich, who narrowly beat the charismatic Tymoshenko for the presidency in February 2010, that landmark economic agreements will be in jeopardy if she is jailed.

Judge Rodion Kireyev, who was expected to deliver sentence on the opposition leader later, said Tymoshenko's actions had led to a loss for Naftogaz of 1.5 billion hryvnia ($188 million).

"In January 2009, Tymoshenko Yu. V., exercising the duties of prime minister ... used her powers for criminal ends and, acting deliberately, carried out actions ... which led to heavy consequences," he said.