The president signed a decree Monday disbanding the parliament and calling for new legislative elections, promising they will be held in line with the Constitution and scheduling them for May 27.
During an emergency government meeting last night, Yanukovych said Yushchenko should abolish the decree and sit down at the negotiating table.
Ukraine's latest political crisis was triggered by the defection of 11 opposition members of the pro-presidential Our Ukraine and the Tymoshenko Bloc to the majority coalition March 23.
Yushchenko has accused the majority coalition, led by Yanukovych, of trying to expand its power base through unconstitutional means, notably by welcoming defecting lawmakers. By law, only entire factions can join the ruling coalition.
Despite the presidential decree, the Supreme Rada decided not to cancel its meeting and adopted a number of resolutions Monday night.
In its address to the nation, it said the president had no justification to dissolve the body.
Yushchenko reiterated Tuesday that the use of military force should be ruled out in the current conflict. He also dismissed Supreme Rada Speaker Oleksandr Moroz, a strong opponent of his policies, from Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.
