Ukrainian parliament to vote on prime minister, war and reconstruction spending

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine's parliament is meeting in special session to decide whether to accept Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's decision to resign.

Yatsenyuk said last week from the dais that he was resigning, which could open the way for early elections. But Ukrainian officials say the resignation must be formally approved by parliament.

Yatsenyuk said he would quit after two parties withdrew from the governing coalition. If no new coalition can be formed, early elections can be held.

President Petro Poroshenko has said he wants new elections — but also said he wants parliament to continue working in the meantime given the challenges the country faces.

The special session Thursday will also take up bills to spend more on the war against pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country.