The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Tuesday passed a resolution urging the Ukrainian authorities to release former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

"The committee passed resolutions in support of international efforts to achieve long-term peace in the Congo, and demanding the release of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko," reads a statement posted on the committee's Web site.

According to Ukrainian media, the resolution urges the government of Ukraine to free former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

In addition, the committee recommends the European Union make Tymoshenko's release one of the most important criteria for the signing of the Association Agreement with Ukraine at the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November.

The resolution also expressed the hope that Ukraine will link its future with Europe and the United States.