WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Yatsenyuk's government was beset by problems from the start. Kiev faces a deep economic crisis, as well as conflict in the country's east.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko recently nominated Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Volodymir Groisman as the nation's new prime minister.
Last month, chairman of the Entrepreneurs Council at the Cabinet of Ministers and Chairman of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation Leonid Kozachenko also resigned, citing the Yatsenyuk government's failure to pursue promised reforms.
"We do believe the government of Ukraine will carry out needed reforms. We do believe it’s implementing and will continue to implement its Minsk agreements, and it’s really the joint responsibility of Ukraine’s president, it’s prime minister and all those in government to put aside their differences and to deliver on the reforms that Ukrainians need," Toner said at a press briefing.
He also noted that the United States will work with the new government to finalize a planned loan guarantee.
Like other agreements reached in 2013 and 2015, Toner explained, the loan guarantee will depend on the Ukrainian government’s progress in implementing key steps in an economic reform program.
The conditions will reinforce adherence to a new IMF program as well as other steps needed to restore accountability, counter corruption, strengthen the rule of law and governance and ensure a stronger social safety net.
Toner stressed that it is the responsibility of the entire Ukrainian government to continue to implement political and economic reforms.
US Hopes Yatsenyuk’s Successor to Continue Needed Reforms in Ukraine
The United States hopes that the successor of Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk will continue to make commitments to economic reforms in Ukraine amid his departure, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said during a press briefing on Monday.
"The people of Ukraine and the nation of Ukraine is enduring quite a lot, the United States will continue to stand with them and support them as they endure these challenges," Earnest stated. "[B]ut that also means the government of Ukraine will need to follow through on the critical economic reforms… and we're hopeful that the commitment to implementing those reforms will continue in the mind of Mr. Yatsenyuk's successor."
On Sunday, Yatsenyuk announced his resignation effective on April 12 amid the ongoing parliamentary crisis in the country.
Earnest praised Yatsenyuk’s work, noting that he played an important role in managing the country in a time of turmoil and was an "important partner" to the United States.
"We are pleased that he has indicated that he will remain on to ensure a smooth transition to his successor."
Yatsenyuk’s resignation comes as the Ukrainian government has been in a state of turmoil since early February when the country’s economic development minister resigned over the slow pace of change and widespread government corruption.
Five other ministers initially also resigned, but later rowed back on their intention to quit.
