Ukraine's Top Prosecutor Returns To Work Despite Resignation

Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin

Ukraine's top prosecutor, who had reportedly resigned last month amid domestic and international pressure and accusations of stonewalling reforms, has resumed his duties.

The press service for the Prosecutor-General's Office confirmed on March 16 that Viktor Shokin was back at work.

The news came as a parliamentary committee recommended that the question of Shokin's resignation, announced last month, be brought to a full vote by lawmakers.

Shokin's deputy, Vladyslav Kutsenko, however, said there weren't enough votes to accept the resignation.

Shokin's return to work came just a day after a leading U.S. administration official made pointed reference to reforming the Prosecutor-General's Office.

U.S. and European officials have repeatedly called for President Petro Poroshenko to push Shokin out, as part of wider government reforms aimed at cleaning up the country's notorious graft.