Yatseniuk’s resignation was the only way forward for Ukraine – Lithuania’s Linkevičius

“First, I have to note that it was not an unexpected move, something that was coming for a long time,” Linkevičius told BNS on Sunday.

“We encourage all parts of government to join efforts for a common goal and reforms. The situation is tense, a war continues, so there is no time to waste on in-fighting and arguments,” he added.

Changing the prime minister could have been Yatseniuk’s own idea, Linkevičius says. After all, he has recently survived a confidence vote in the Ukrainian parliament.

“Therefore now only his resignation could have moved Ukraine forward out of the current stand-off that has emerged lately. One must recall that people’s trust in the government has plummeted lately and continuing work under such circumstance was impossible. The government could hardly work efficiently without the confidence of either political parties or the society at large,” Linkevičius said.

Arseny Yatseniuk announced about his resignation on Sunday, which means that Ukraine will have to appoint an new government. The prime minister said he would submit his official resignation to the parliament on Sunday.

The party of Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has suggested that the premiership could be given to Speaker Volodymyr Hroisman.