Some commentary on the outgoing prosecutor-general from the editor of the Kyiv Post:
So, Viktor Shokin's resignation now seems to have been officially done and dusted (from RFE/RL's news desk):
Poroshenko's Office Announces Receipt Of Shokin Resignation
Ukraine's embattled prosecutor-general has officially submitted his resignation, a spokesman for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko wrote on Twitter.
The presidential administration has received an official letter of resignation from Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin, presidential press secretary Sviatoslav Tsegolko wrote on February 19.
Calls for Shokin's resignation mounted after Deputy Prosecutor-General Vitaliy Kasko resigned on February 15, accusing Shokin of hindering corruption investigations.
There were media reports that Shokin had resigned as early as February 16, but other reports said he had gone on an extended vacation.
During a telephone conversation on February 18, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told Poroshenko that the United States welcomed his efforts to replace Shokin, which Biden said "paves the way for needed reform of the prosecutorial service."
With reporting by Interfax and Reuters
Good morning. We'll start the live blog today with this item that RFE/RL's news desk filed overnight:
Biden Commends Poroshenko For Anticorruption Efforts
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has called Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and commended him for passing anticorruption legislation sought by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the White House said.
"The Vice President urged President Poroshenko to continue on this positive trajectory, to include successful implementation of the new legislation, and continued visible progress on anti-corruption reforms" backed by the United States and European Union, it said on February 18.
The IMF had threatened to halt delivery of Ukraine's $40 billion bailout package from the IMF and EU unless it cracked down on corruption.
Biden also applauded Poroshenko's efforts to replace Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin, "which paves the way for needed reform of the prosecutorial service," the White House said.
Shokin was called out by name earlier this month by Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius, who announced his resignation and cited a "sharp escalation in efforts to block systemic and important reforms."
U.S. officials have long made clear their position that Shokin should resign to restore public confidence in Ukraine's justice system.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
That concludes our live-blogging of the Ukraine crisis for Thursday, February 18. Check back here tomorrow for more of our continuing coverage.