Kiev - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on Wednesday ordered parliament dissolved and called for new elections.

The Orange Revolution leader did not in the short nationally- televised speech make clear when the vote would take place.

Before ceasing work, Ukraine's current parliament should amend the national budget to pay for the national vote, which according to Yushchenko would allow Ukrainians to select a brand new legislature.

Washington  - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko played down the political rift in his country's Parliament, saying during a meeting with US President George W Bush that Ukrainian democracy is strong enough to survive the uncertainty.

"We also discussed the domestic political situation in Ukraine, which in my opinion is far away from being tragic, and not dramatic," Yushchenko said at the White House.

"Ukraine has enough democratic resources and tools to give sufficient response to any crisis that may occur in the Ukrainian Parliament."

Washington - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is expected to visit his counterpart George W Bush on Monday, the White House said Thursday.

Kiev - Ukraine's parliament has rammed through legislation directly challenging President Viktor Yushchenko, placing the country's pro-West ruling coalition in jeopardy, local media reported on Wednesday.

A parliamentary faction led by Yushchenko's erstwhile ally, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshehnko, switched sides during a stormy Monday evening session to join with the pro-Russia Regions Party to approve a package of bills directly aimed at reducing the presidency to the status of mere figurehead.

Kiev  - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on Thursday accused a former close advisor of complicity in a plot to kill him by poisoning.

David Zhvania, a key figure in Ukraine's 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution, had been personally involved in a plot to kill him the same year, Yushchenko told reporters, according to an Interfax news agency report.