KIEV: Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov on Tuesday submitted his resignation, a move motivated by efforts to peacefully resolve the current crisis in the eastern European country.
Meanwhile, the country’s President Viktor Yanukovich accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov and his cabinet, according to a decree on the presidential website.
The cabinet will continue to work until a new government is formed.
“For the purpose of creating additional possibilities of social and political compromise, for the peaceful solution of the conflict, I’ve made a personal decision to ask the Ukrainian president to accept my resignation from the post of prime minister,” Azarov said in a statement.
The Ukrainian premier described the current crisis in the country as a threat to the economic and social development, as well as a threat to each and every Ukrainian citizen.
“During the standoff, the government has done everything for a peaceful solution of the conflict,” Azarov said.
“We’ve been doing everything not to let bloodshed occur, to prevent the violence escalating, not to have human rights infringed upon. The government has made sure the economy and social security have functioned in extreme conditions.”
“Today the most important thing is to preserve the unity and integrity of Ukraine. This is far more important than any personal plans or ambitions. That is why I have taken this decision,” he added.
A special session of the Ukrainian parliament will address harsh anti-protest laws on Tuesday after President Victor Yanukovych agreed to repeal some of the laws that sparked massive violent demonstrations in the country
The announcement came after talks between the president and the three main opposition leaders namely Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) leader and world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, Fatherland Party leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk and nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party leader Oleh Tyahnybok were held for the second time this week.
Ukraine has been rocked by anti-government protests after Yanukovych refrained from signing an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) at the third Eastern Partnership Summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on November 29 last year in favor of closer ties with Russia.
Kiev refused to sign the agreement after the EU leaders called on Ukraine to allow jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko to travel overseas for medical treatment.
Later, Ukraine and Russia reached a strategic economic and trade deal in December, which provides Ukraine with significant discounts on imported Russian gas and billions of dollars in credit.
