By Richard Balmforth KIEV (Reuters) - Despite winning rare praise from the West for freeing an opponent from jail, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich is likely to resist extra pressure and the lure of trade deals to release his fiercest rival, ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

The United States on Monday praised Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych for pardoning two prominent allies of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshenko, but also called for her release. Yanukovych signed a decree on Sunday pardoning six people, including former interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko and Ukraine's former environment minister Georgy Filipchuk. The move was an "important step toward addressing concerns about democracy and the rule of law in Ukraine," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden, but warned much more needed to be done in Ukraine.

By Richard Balmforth KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich pardoned two allies of his main foe, ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, on Sunday in a move to appease Western critics but gave no sign of being ready to free the imprisoned opposition leader herself. The European Union has curbed relations with the former Soviet republic over what it regards as politically-motivated prosecutions of political rivals by the Yanukovich leadership.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych pardoned Sunday a close ally of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshenko as several thousands rallied in Kiev to protest his policies amid rising political tensions. Yuriy Lutsenko walked free from a prison in northern Ukraine after Yanukovych pardoned the 48-year-old former interior minister under pressure from European Union and the opposition. Yanukovuch has however earlier ruled out pardoning his top nemesis Tymoshenko and his decree Sunday made no mention of her.