Ukraine’s worst political crisis since the Orange Revolution in 2004 ended dramatically yesterday – just in time for its feuding politicians to cheer on rival teams in the season’s biggest football match.

President Yushchenko emerged from seven hours of talks with Viktor Yanukovych, the Prime Minister, to announce a deal to hold early parliamentary elections on September 30.

The decision ended a seven-week stand-off that threatened to erupt into violent confrontation at the weekend, as the two sides struggled for control of the security services. “The political crisis in Ukraine is finished. We have come to a decision that represents a compromise,” Mr Yushchenko said at a joint press briefing with his bitter rival after overnight negotiations in the capital, Kiev.

“We will do everything so that this is not repeated, so that there are no more mistakes, no more emotions,” Mr Yanukovych said after the two men signed a statement confirming the election date.

The President then underscored a striking change in mood by announcing that he and Mr Yanukovych would attend the Ukrainian cup final between Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk yesterday. Mr Yanukovych is a lifelong supporter of Shakhtar and the city of Donetsk is the heartland of his political support in the Russian-speaking east of Ukraine. The President is said to support Dynamo Kiev.

The political breakthrough ended a crisis that risked plunging Ukraine into civil conflict as the rivals competed for command of the country’s Interior Ministry forces. Control of the troops played a key role in deciding the outcome of the Orange Revolution.

Dynamo won the cup last night, beating Donetsk 2-1, in what may prove to be a lucky omen for Mr Yushchenko.

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