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Ukraine’s Prime Minister Resigns


Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk reacts after surviving a vote of no confidence, in Parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk reacts after surviving a vote of no confidence, in Parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016.
Ukraine Prime Minister Resigns
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Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Sunday he is resigning. His decision may permit a new government to be formed, possibly ending the country’s political crisis.

Yatsenyuk spoke on television and wrote on the social networking site Twitter. He said he will give his resignation to parliament on Tuesday. He said he hopes his decision to leave office will permit Ukraine to make changes to its constitution and to its electoral and judicial systems. He said he hopes the country can then join the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Yatsenyuk has been criticized for not being able to improve the country’s economy and for not moving fast enough to make political changes.

If members of parliament are unable to choose a new prime minister, a new election could be held. But President Petro Poroshenko does not want another election. He believes a new vote could worsen the country’s security situation.

I’m Jonathan Evans.

VOANews.com reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

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