European Union leaders on Friday condemned Belarus for its continued poor record on human rights and the rule of law.

Speaking at the first day of a summit in Poland aimed at bringing former Soviet states closer to the European Union, EU leader Herman Van Rompuy called for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.

He stated that the European Union could not engage with Belarus until its showed clear progress towards democracy and a respect for human rights.

After meeting with political opponents of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, German Chancellor Angela Merkel personally criticized his government's actions as “totally unacceptable.”

Belarus boycotted the meeting.

EU leaders have been telling Belarus, Ukraine and other countries seeking closer ties that they must demonstrate respect for democracy.

Van Rompuy warned that an ongoing trial of Ukranian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko was creating a serious issue in bilateral relations.

Former prime minister Tymoshenko has been accused of abuse of office in a 2009 gas deal she signed with with Russia.

Both U.S. and European Union officials have expressed concerns that the trial is politically motivated. The judge is expected to announce a verdict when the trial resumes on October 11.

The Warsaw summit aims to improve cooperation with Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The EU is currently working on an association agreement with Ukraine, but some EU member states want to delay the talks because of the Tymoshenko trial.