Viktor Yushchenko

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko says his nation's parliament has destabilized the political situation in Kiev by calling for dismissal of the government.

Mr. Yushchenko, who is in Kazakhstan Wednesday for President Nursultan Nazarbayev's inauguration, says the parliament vote in Kiev on Tuesday was incomprehensible, illogical and wrong.

The vote followed last week's agreement with Russia that will nearly double the price Ukrainians pay for natural gas.

Prime Minister Yuri Yekhanurov says the attempt to oust him and his Cabinet is unconstitutional.

Even if he is forced out of office, Mr. Yekhanurov will remain acting prime minister until a new Cabinet is named, and Ukraine's justice minister, Serhiy Holovaty, says only the new parliament that will be elected in March can form a new government.

An opposition lawmaker in Kiev agrees that current government ministers should remain at their posts. He says parliament's dismissal order was intended to strip Mr. Yekhuranov's government of decision-making powers.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.