Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

The parliament voted 263-69 to approve a Communist-sponsored resolution accusing Yushchenko's government of failing to improve the economy and leading the country to ruin

nister Viktor Yushchenko and his government, plunging the nation into political chaos.

The ouster of the most successful Cabinet since Ukraine's independence in 1991 was likely to slow reforms in this largely impoverished nation and damage its international standing.

The parliament voted 263-69 to approve a Communist-sponsored resolution accusing Yushchenko's government of failing to improve the economy and leading the country to ruin.

The vote was the second of two on the no-confidence motion Thursday. The votes came despite efforts by Yushchenko and President Leonid Kuchma to defuse the political crisis by holding urgent consultations with parliamentary faction leaders.

Kuchma met with faction heads late Wednesday, calling for political stability to be preserved in the already troubled country. Yushchenko conferred with legislators Thursday morning.

The nation has already been rocked by a monthslong political crisis sparked by the disappearance of a critical journalist and allegations of Kuchma's involvement in his killing.