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Ukraine’s Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov resigns

Сonflict situation in the country threatens economic and social development in Ukraine and poses a threat to the whole Ukrainian society and each citizen in the country - Azarov

Ukraine's Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

Ukraine's Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov

© EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

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KIEV, January 28. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov resigned on Tuesday.

“The conflict situation in the country threatens economic and social development in Ukraine and poses a threat to the whole Ukrainian society and each citizen in the country,” the government press service quoted Azarov as saying.

In his words, the government was doing everything possible for peaceful settlement of the conflict during standoff. “We did and are doing everything possible to avert bloodshed, escalation of violence and violations of human rights. The government has provided for economy and social security system to work in extreme conditions,” the prime minister noted, adding that an acute and dangerous conflict for Ukrainian citizens and fate of the country demands additional responsible steps.

“To create additional capabilities for public and political compromise and for the sake of peaceful settlement of the conflict I have taken a personal decision to ask the Ukrainian president to accept my resignation from the post of the country’s prime minister,” Azarov noted. In his words, he did everything possible for Ukraine will be able to develop well as a democratic European country. “I have taken decisions and assumed responsibility in the interests of Ukrainian people. Therefore, I can look frankly in the eyes of each citizen of our country, each compatriot,” Azarov added.

“I am grateful to all Ukrainian citizens who supported the government and me personally, believed and believe in correctness of political course that we had pursued. Mostly important today is to preserve unity and integrity of Ukraine. This is much more important than someone’s personal plans and ambitions. Therefore, I have taken this decision,” Azarov added.

Leader of parliamentary faction Batkivshchina Arseny Yatsenyuk told Itar-Tass on Tuesday that he does not intend to take the post of prime minister.

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