Kiev/Moscow - Ukraine's ruling coalition collapsed, the parliamentary speaker said Tuesday, in a feud between between President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko over whether Russia or the West holds the former Soviet country's future.

"I officially announce the collapse of the coalition of democratic forces," Speaker Arseny Yatsenyuk was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.

Yushchenko's Our Ukraine party, which aspires to join NATO and the European Union, pulled out of the shared coalition with Tymoshenko's bloc at the beginning of September after she paired with the pro- Russian opposition to oppose some of the president's policies.

The feud has been accentuated by the run-up to presidential elections in 2010 in which both politicians are prime candidates.

The party's 10-day deadline to save the coalition ran out Saturday.

Tymoshenko's bloc is expected to build a new coalition with the pro-Russian Regions Party.

She would have to resign, but would continue as premier until a new cabinet is formed within 30 days.

If a new coalition is not formed within that time period, Yushchenko may call new elections.

Experts have tagged the end of December for possible elections. (dpa)