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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Ukraine rivals in tense stand-off | Ukraine rivals in tense stand-off |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovych has called the president's decision to dissolve parliament a "fatal mistake", amid a deepening political crisis. | Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovych has called the president's decision to dissolve parliament a "fatal mistake", amid a deepening political crisis. |
| Mr Yanukovych spoke to an emergency session of parliament before addressing a large crowd of supporters gathered nearby in central Kiev. | |
| Pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday ordered parliament to be dissolved and called a snap election. | Pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday ordered parliament to be dissolved and called a snap election. |
| The move followed a political stand-off between the two long-term rivals. | The move followed a political stand-off between the two long-term rivals. |
| Mr Yushchenko's supporters have also been called to demonstrate in the capital, with the stand-off echoing the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept him to power. | |
| 'Avoid the worst' | 'Avoid the worst' |
| Speaking to supporters massed outside parliament, Mr Yanukovych threatened to try to force presidential elections if Mr Yushchenko persisted with plans for a snap parliamentary poll. | |
| "He should understand that the only way out is looking for a compromise at the negotiating table," he said. | |
| Q&A: Political crisis | |
| The new parliamentary election is now scheduled for 27 May, after the president's decree to dissolve parliament came into force. | |
| But deputies in parliament continued to work on Tuesday in defiance of the official proclamation, which allies of Mr Yanukovych called "a step towards a coup d'etat". | But deputies in parliament continued to work on Tuesday in defiance of the official proclamation, which allies of Mr Yanukovych called "a step towards a coup d'etat". |
| And the prime minister's supporters, who favour closer ties with Russia, have urged Ukraine's constitutional court to rule on whether the president's action was legal. | |
| "There is still a chance to avoid the worst," Mr Yanukovych told parliament, reminding Mr Yushchenko of "the weight of responsibility" on his shoulders. | |
| Shifting alliances | Shifting alliances |
| The announcement of the new election followed seven hours of failed talks between Mr Yushchenko and parliamentary leaders. | The announcement of the new election followed seven hours of failed talks between Mr Yushchenko and parliamentary leaders. |
| It is not only my right, it is my obligation Viktor Yushchenko class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/4035789.stm">Profile: Viktor Yushchenko class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/4038803.stm">Profile: Viktor Yanukovych Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority. | |
| Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides. | Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides. |
| If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change. | If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change. |
| "My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Mr Yushchenko said in his televised address to the nation. "It is not only my right, it is my obligation." | "My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Mr Yushchenko said in his televised address to the nation. "It is not only my right, it is my obligation." |
| And he accused rivals of using an "unconstitutional process" to form a parliamentary majority. "Deliberate efforts are being made in parliament to worsen the political crisis, posing a threat to our country and people," he said. | And he accused rivals of using an "unconstitutional process" to form a parliamentary majority. "Deliberate efforts are being made in parliament to worsen the political crisis, posing a threat to our country and people," he said. |
| Over the weekend, tens of thousands of supporters of both factions turned out on the streets of Kiev for rival rallies. | Over the weekend, tens of thousands of supporters of both factions turned out on the streets of Kiev for rival rallies. |
| Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych. | Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych. |
| But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed. | But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed. |