Ukraine's parliament has restored Prime Minister Yuri Yekhanurov to office, saying his dismissal in January was unconstitutional.
Mr. Yekhanurov has been serving as acting prime minister since parliament voted to dismiss him over a deal to buy natural gas from Russia.
The vote canceling his dismissal came hours after expiration of a constitutional deadline requiring that a government be in office.
This is the latest twist in a long-running political crisis in Ukraine following March elections in which the opposition Regions Party emerged as the leading group in parliament.
A coalition headed by the Regions Party had suggested nominating former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych to head a new government. But President Viktor Yushchenko has until early August to respond to the suggestion.