In what appears to be Ukraine's most serious diplomatic crisis as an independent state, the seven year jail term handed to Tymoshenko Tuesday was condemned by both the European Union and its neighbour Russia. Yanukovych offered some hope to Tymoshenko by saying law changes could decriminalise her violations. But the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) on Thursday brought new embezzlement charges against the glamorous ex-prime minister that carry a potential 12 year sentence. Critics of Yanukovych accuse him of initiating the legal process as revenge against Tymoshenko, who helped lead the 2004 Orange Revolution uprising that annulled rigged elections initially awarded to him. The price for Ukraine is already heavy: the European Union has warned the conviction could endanger its chances of signing this year an Association Agreement, which would be the first step to its cherished dream of EU membership. The controversy also comes at the worst possible time: Ukraine is preparing to co-host next summer's European football championships, the best opportunity in its history to show off the nation of 46 million to the world. "It's winter, the ink will freeze up in the pen," a top EU diplomat in Kiev, who asked not to be named, told AFP about the chances of signing the Association Agreement soon. "Ukraine risks being left alone." Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, in a rare move, echoed the EU criticism of the case, which concerned gas accords Tymoshenko agreed with him while she was Ukrainian prime minister in 2009. "It's a unique situation without precedent. All the key actors in the world have condemned Ukraine. It's hard to see how they are going to extricate themselves from this," said Igor Zhdanov head of the Open Politics think-tank. "Yanukovych has walked into a trap," he added. Analysts and diplomats said there is as yet no clear sign Tymoshenko will be released to calm the situation, although the move to decriminalise her abuse of power charges may be discussed by parliament next week. "They are behaving like a bull in a china shop," said Viktor Nebozhenko, director of the Ukrainian Barometer centre. "The authorities thought it would be a stroll and now find themselves at the centre of a global drama." Despite the crisis, Yanukovych's Regions Party has consistently displayed a fierce determination to see Tymoshenko brought to account and argued the trial would have no effect on Ukraine's EU hopes. A top Regions Party source recently told AFP that Brussels wanted above all that Ukraine did not join Putin's Customs Union, which currently includes Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. "It's the EU who needs the (Association) Agreement. They know that if they don't sign it then we will go for the Customs Union," said the official. Yanukovych, whose insistence that he has nothing to do with the trial is ridiculed by opponents, on Thursday gave some acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. "Does this harm Ukraine's European integration? Yes. Does it suit me? No," he was quoted as saying by his press service. Russia's position remains ambiguous -- it has expressed disapproval of the jailing but is unlikely to hide its pleasure if Ukraine again moves towards its orbit after being kicked away by the European Union. Observers believe Yanukovych needs to ensure Tymoshenko is released swiftly to limit the damage. However the potentially even more serious new case opened by the Security Service will still remain. Even though Tymoshenko is not universally loved by Ukrainians -- many of whom see her as a power hungry pragmatist rather than a European idealist -- she could yet be a very dangerous opponent if allowed back into politics. "If she is freed she is not even going to take a shower first," one top Ukrainian political figure who knows Tymoshenko well told AFP. "She is going to go straight to Independence Square (Kiev's main site for demonstrations) without even leaving her things at home."