Long-time political rivals President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych have eventually agreed to hold early parliamentary elections as a way to end their dispute, but have so far failed to agree on a date.
Speaking after Yushchenko's meeting with Rene van der Linden, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in Kiev, Oleksandr Chaliy said: "The president made it clear that Ukraine does not need mediation. Ukraine's political factions are capable of resolving the situation through dialogue."
His statement echoed remarks made by the parliamentary speaker, a member of the premier's camp, earlier Monday.
"I am positive we will cope with the situation on our own," Oleksandr Moroz said, while also hailing PACE's engagement as important for Ukrainian society and politicians.
In Kiev on a two-day visit in a bid to help end the feud, Van der Linden urged Monday political forces to ensure stability.
The Supreme Rada adopted an appeal for aid to PACE, EU heads of state and government, and European lawmakers May 11, accusing Yushchenko of seeking to usurp power. And both Yushchenko and Yanukovych had earlier sought support at European bodies after the president ordered the premier-controlled parliament dissolved in late April.
Chaliy quoted Yushchenko as saying the crisis could end this week. "All technicalities have been settled, and final political discussions have to be held," he said.
Tensions in the ex-Soviet state have persisted since Yanukovych came to power as prime minister after the March 2006 parliamentary elections, following his defeat by Yushchenko in the 2004 presidential election.
