Ukraine's prime minister cancels visit to Moscow

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has canceled her planned visit to Moscow this week to protest the refusal of Russian prosecutors to drop a criminal case against her, a Cabinet colleague said on Wednesday.

Tymoshenko was expected to begin a two-day visit to Moscow on Friday.

Ukraine's Economic Minister Serhiy Teriokhin said that the prime minister did not fear arrest but was canceling the trip as a matter of principle, the Interfax news agency reported.

"No one is afraid of anyone. But there is the principle of international law," Teriokhin was quoted as saying.

Tymoshenko's office refused to comment, saying a statement would be made later.

Tymoshenko is accused of bribing Russian defense officials while she headed Ukraine's main gas distributor, and Russian prosecutors have issued an international arrest warrant for her.

Russia's Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov said Tuesday that the case has not been closed and Tymoshenko remains on the wanted list, although he reiterated that she would not face arrest because of immunity provided to state leaders.

Tymoshenko denies the Russian charges, saying they are politically motivated.

AP