You're reading: Yanukovych accepts resignation of Azarov, Cabinet

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his government.

A corresponding decree was published on the president’s Web site on Tuesday.

Yanukovych instructed the cabinet to continue its work until the new government is formed. The decree takes effect on the day of its publication.

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reported that Prime Minister Mykola Azarov had tendered his resignation.

“I have made my personal decision to ask the Ukrainian president to accept my resignation from the post of Ukrainian prime minister in order to create additional opportunities for a socio-political compromise and settle the conflict peacefully,” Azarov said in a statement.

He said the current situation in the country endangering Ukraine’s economic and social development poses a threat to the entire Ukrainian society and every citizen.

Azarov was appointed Ukraine’s prime minister in March 2010. On Dec. 3, 2012, the Azarov-led government was dismissed due to the election of a new parliament.

On Dec. 9, 2012, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych submitted a motion to the Verkhovna Rada of the seventh convocation appointing Azarov as Ukrainian prime minister. On Dec. 13, the parliament supported his candidacy.

According to the Ukrainian Constitution, the resignation of the prime minister entails the resignation of the entire cabinet. However, the cabinet continues to perform its functions until a new government is formed, but for no longer than 60 days.