Poroshenko Calls For New Cabinet By Next Week

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (left) and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has urged parliament to approve a new cabinet next week in a bid to end a political crisis.

Ukraine's ruling coalition has collapsed over efforts to stamp out corruption, but Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk refuses to step down after he survived a no-confidence vote last month, triggered by Poroshenko's party.

Poroshenko told reporters in the eastern city of Kharkiv on March 23 that he was ready "to support any candidate for prime minister submitted by the [parliamentary] coalition."

"I stress that it is in Ukraine's interests to see the government confirmed next Tuesday."

Yatsenyuk expressed hope on March 23 that the political crisis would be resolved soon.

"I am waiting for further decisions to be made both by the parliamentary coalition and -- most importantly -- the president's party and the president himself."

Poroshenko controls parliament's largest faction. The one headed by Yatsenyuk closely trails in second and has previously voted in line with the president's group.

U.S.-born Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko said on March 22 that she was ready to serve as prime minister under strict conditions.

Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax