Ukraine: no point in continuing coalition talks with Socialists

The sticking point has been the job of parliamentary speaker, which both Our Ukraine and the Socialists have demanded.

Photo: Ukraine: no point in continuing coalition talks with Socialists

Ukraine: no point in continuing coalition talks with Socialists

The Socialists were "acting irresponsibility before the Ukrainian people," the party said.

Socialist Party leader Oleksandr Moroz, who is his party's candidate for the speaker's job, countered that Our Ukraine had constantly shifting conditions that set the talks up for failure. He called on Yushchenko to intervene personally.

The failure by the three parties that supported the 2004 Orange Revolution to reach an agreement has left this ex-Soviet republic effectively rudderless, with neither the Cabinet nor parliament fully functioning. The disarray prompted U.S. President George W. Bush to put off a visit to Ukraine this month.

The parties halted talks on Saturday, and face a self-imposed Wednesday deadline to present an agreement to parliament, the AP reports.

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who would get her old job back if the coalition forms, has accused Our Ukraine of purposely trying to sabotage the talks so it can pull out and form a coalition with the top vote-getter in the March parliamentary elections - the pro-Russian Party of Regions.