The Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko has said that the country must complete the transition to digital broadcasting by 2012.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting and quoted by the news agency Ukinform, he added that neighbouring Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Russia (partially) will have all completed the transition by that date and that there is no choice but for Ukraine to do the same.
He also cited the example of Germany, which has previously prevaricated about a transition date on several occasions.
The joint hosting of Euro 2012 with Poland is also putting pressure on Ukraine to complete the transition within the next three years.