Ukraine's president and prime minister agreed today, after months of confrontation over a division of powers, to hold an early parliamentary election.
President Viktor Yushchenko praised the decision as a "great victory of good over evil".
Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, his antagonist from the 2004 "Orange Revolution" protests that swept the president to power, vowed to triumph at the polls.
It was not clear when the election might take place. The president suggested the vote could be held by July, while the prime minister said autumn was more likely.
"We have reached an agreement in principle on holding an early parliamentary election," the pro-Western Mr Yushchenko told reporters after the two men held the latest in a series of meetings at the president's secretariat.
Mr Yanukovich, closer to Moscow, said: "The main aim here is a joint decision on holding an honest democratic election."
The president brought months of sniping to a head in April by issuing two decrees dissolving parliament and calling an election.
Under the latest decree, issued last week, the poll was scheduled for June 24th. Addressing a news conference today, Mr Yushchenko offered to suspend his decree to allow experts to submit details of the election process to parliament, probably next week.
The poll could take place within 60 days of a formal decision, he said, meaning no earlier than July. "Today's agreement is a great victory of good over evil," he later told regional officials.
"We must instil the idea that there is no room for political corruption in the country, that we will respect the people's choice and those in power will obey the laws of the land."