The German minister has urged Germany not to go to Ukraine this summer.

Germany’s football coach Joachim Loew yesterday rejected a boycott of Euro 2012 over jailed former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Loew said: “It is a good opportunity, with all eyes on the tournament, for these issues to be discussed.”

The German coach told reporters that a boycott of the European championships by any team was “clearly not sensible” but that the political situation in Ukraine was of concern.

Germany, which is among the favourites to win Euro 2012, will play all three of their opening games in Ukraine