Yanukovych resigns as Ukraine PM

Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych said today that he will resign from his post.

“I have made the decision to submit my formal resignation,” Mr Yanukovych told the nation in a televised New Year’s Eve address.

It appeared his resignation was effective immediately.

Mr Yanukovych lost Sunday’s court-ordered presidential revote to opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, according to preliminary final results from the Central Election Commission.

He has said that he will appeal the results and his campaign has said it is preparing an appeal to Ukraine’s Supreme Court.

“I believe it is impossible to have any position in a state that is ruled by such officials,” Mr Yanukovych said. “This is my personal position.”

He vowed to remain in politics.

“We are still fighting, but I don’t have much hope,” he said.