Ukraine’s parliament has appointed Volodymyr Groysman as the country’s new prime minister, the state-run TASS news agency reported Thursday.
The decision — supported by 257 lawmakers — comes after the Verkhovna Rada accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk earlier this week, citing unsatisfactory work by his government.
"I address you with a request to appoint the prime minister today and approve the new format of the cabinet of ministers in the short term," Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in his address to Rada deputies on Thursday, TASS reported.
Groysman said he was happy with the decision and later asked that he be allowed to step down as chairman of Verkhovna Rada.
“Parliament remains effective: the laws find the support of the majority of deputies, we formed anti-corruption legislation, declared Russia an aggressor, began forming a new police force, and approved decentralization,” Groysman said.
The prime minister also expressed trust in his newly chosen cabinet and confirmed that Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak and Interior Minister Arsen Avakov would remain at their posts on the request of Poroshenko.
“I think that the government has the chance to become a government of national trust,” announced Groysman, TASS reported.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
