As the incumbent prime minister, Ms Tymoshenko's rating has also been dented by Ukraine's severe economic crisis.

ECONOMIST: Ukraine's presidential election

The main lesson from this crisis, says Gazprom, is that alternative pipelines bypassing Ukraine are needed.

ECONOMIST: Russia, Ukraine and gas

However, economic cooperation would be beneficial not only for Ukraine, but also the Eurozone, which is overwhelmed by the debt crisis and economic slowdown.

FORBES: Why the Assessment Report of the Past Elections is Important for Ukraine?

Ukraine and Georgia have been promised membership eventually but in practical terms that would create a new crisis with Russia and the issue might be left hanging for a number of years.

BBC: Nato at 60: New doctrine for new threats

Ukraine has suffered political turmoil in recent years and has been hit particularly hard by the global economic crisis.

BBC: Ukraine given Euro 2012 assurance