Yushchenko took the action after members of the Supreme Rada were unable to formulate a new ruling coalition, RIA Novosti reported. The announcement came in the form of a prerecorded speech on national television while Yushchenko was in Italy, the Russian news agency said.

No date was set for the snap national elections.

"In conformity with the constitution, I am announcing the termination of the Supreme Rada's powers and the holding of parliamentary elections," the president said in his address. "The vote will take place in a democratic and lawful fashion."

The September collapse of the pro-Western ruling coalition, he said, was the fault of Prime Minster Yulia Tymoshenko.

"By October 8, 2008 I have not received a single proposal from any political force on the formation of a majority coalition," Yushchenko said. "Accordingly ... the Ukrainian people must decide."