Germany, which holds the rotating EU presidency, called on all parties in Ukraine on Tuesday to show "moderation" to solve the political crisis.

"Moderation and a willingness to cooperate" is required to " settle the current differences," said the German EU presidency in a statement.

The relations between the EU and Ukraine should not be adversely affected, it added.

A decree signed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to dissolve parliament went into effect Tuesday, according to the presidential press service.

Yushchenko has called a parliamentary election to take place on May 27 after lawmakers from Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich's coalition appealed for a ruling by the constitutional court on the legitimacy of the president's order, according to reports by the Interfax news agency.

Source: Xinhua