BRUSSELS, October 11 - RAPSI. The Kiev District Court's decision to sentence former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to seven years in prison may deteriorate ties between the EU and Ukraine, European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said on Tuesday.

The court on Tuesday sentenced Tymoshenko to seven years in prison for abuse of power in signing gas contracts with Russia in 2009.

The judge declared that Tymoshenko had abused her powers as prime minister and issued directives without the government's consent regarding gas contract negotiations in Moscow, which were not properly documented.

"This may have grave consequences for the ties between the EU and Ukraine, including the conclusion of an association agreement, our political dialogue and our cooperation in broader terms," Kocijancic said.