"If we are to speak in general terms, no agreement was reached and instead of a statement from the 'round table talks,' there was simply a statement for the press," Kuchma said after talks with parliamentary leaders.

Earlier, Itar-Tass quoted a source as saying that the latest talks encountered difficulty "for Kuchma vehemently insisted on his demands."

The hope for the success of the talks "is almost zero," the source said.

Kuchma has pledged to reshuffle the Central Election Commission and support election law reform. He also called for a constitutional reform to limit the presidential powers.

All these can be done only after the opposition lifted the blockade of government buildings, said the leader.

The opposition, however, agreed to lift the blockade after the approval of electoral changes.

Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko criticized the proposed constitutional reform, arguing that Kuchma and his allies, referring to Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, fear his possible victory in the new election and want to weaken the future presidency.

He also called on Kuchma to sack Yanukovich.

Both pro-Moscow Yanukovich and pro-Western Yushchenko claimed victory in the Nov. 21 presidential run-off.

On last Friday, Ukraine's Supreme Court ruled the results of the runoff was invalid and ordered a new vote on Dec. 26.