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Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk Announces Resignation

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(FILES) This file photo taken on April 1, 2015 shows Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk delivering a speech at the "Europa-Forum" series of events organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung foundation in Berlin. Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said in a televised address on April 10, 2016 that he has decided to resign, less than two months after surviving a no-confidence vote in parliament. "I decided to step down from the post of prime minister of Ukraine," he said in a message aired by Ukrainian channels, Interfax news agency reported. / AFP PHOTO / TOBIAS SCHWARZTOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk delivering a speech at the "Europa-Forum" in Berlin on Apr. 1, 2015.Tobias Schwarz—AFP/Getty Images
By Melissa Chan

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Sunday announced his resignation amid political turmoil and accusations that his government has been plagued by inaction and corruption.

Yatsenyuk, who blamed lawmakers’ failure to enact “real changes,” said he plans to step down from his post next week in a move meant to make way for the formation of a new government, the BBC reports. His decision comes after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked him to resign in February, according to the news outlet.

“I thank our nation, society, civil society activists, volunteers. I thank each and every one of you for your endurance and patience,” Yatsenyuk tweeted. “As of today my goals are broader: new electoral law, constitutional reform, judicial reform, Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO.”

[BBC]

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