Kiev, Ukraine ? Ukraine’s shivering but determined political opposition dug in its heels in Kiev’s frigid central square Tuesday, rejecting an offer of the prime minister’s job from the declared winner of disputed presidential election and withdrawing from talks aimed at reaching a compromise.

The election dispute sparked a struggle at Ukraine’s parliament, with throngs of opposition supporters trying to storm inside after lawmakers tentatively approved a resolution that would cancel Saturday’s nonbinding decision to declare the election results invalid.

The government, which is supported by powerful neighbor Russia, pushed ahead with offers that sought to placate or isolate Ukraine’s popular opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, who favors closer ties with the West.

Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, whose victory in the Nov. 21 presidential runoff has been challenged as fraudulent, suggested he could agree to outgoing President Leonid Kuchma’s proposal for a new election — but that both he and Yushchenko should bow out if one is held.

“If this election brings a split in the country … I’m ready to drop my bid along with him,” Yanukovych said.

Yushchenko ignored the proposal. He also rebuffed the offer of the prime minister’s post under a Yanukovych presidency, saying it fell far short of a solution to Ukraine’s crisis.