Ukrainian MPs have rejected a bill that would have allowed the release of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, on Thursday, dealing a blow to Kiev's hopes of a trade deal with the EU.

They threw out six drafts of the bill which would have allowed Tymoshenko to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The EU made her release a condition for signing a historic deal on closer ties with Ukraine next week, but it was reported that  Ukraine came under intense pressure from Russia not to sign.