Ukraine will hold early parliamentary elections on September 30, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said Sunday.

The announcement came early Sunday after many hours of tense talks between Yushchenko and his rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, aimed at ending a long-running political crisis in the country.

“After long talks, a compromise decision has been reached. Now we can say that the political crisis in Ukraine is over,” Yushchenko said.

On April 2, pro-Western leader Yushchenko issued a decree to dissolve the 450-seat Supreme Rada and hold early elections. Parliament and ministers, dominated by pro-Russian Prime Minister Yanukovych’s supporters, refused to obey the order and …

KIEV: President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine on Monday signed an order to dissolve Parliament and called early elections.

Yushchenko, who acted after more than seven hours of talks with parliamentary leaders failed, accused the parliamentary majority led by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych of seeking to expand its power base in violation of the constitution, and of making decisions that violated the law.

“My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Yushchenko said. “It is not only my right, it is my obligation.”

As Yushchenko spoke, Parliament met in an extraordinary session. Yanukovych and top government …

The presidential election held in November and December 2004 in Ukraine was mostly a political battle between Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and former Prime Minister and opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko. The election was held in a highly charged atmosphere, with allegations of media bias, intimidation and even a poisoning of Yushchenko that was later confirmed to be the result of the poison dioxin.

According to official results, announced on November 23, the election was won by Yanukovych, but Yushchenko and his supporters, as well as many international observers, denounced the election as rigged. This led to a serious political crisis, widespread …