(RIA Novosti) - Ministers from the pro-presidential bloc Our Ukraine have tendered their resignations, the leader of the bloc's parliamentary faction said Thursday.
The move signals an end to efforts at forming a grand coalition by President Viktor Yushchenko's six-party bloc and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's pro-Russian Party of Regions and its allies, the Socialist and Communist parties, reports Trend.
After two months of talks, the two political factions still disagree on a series of crucial issues, including Yushchenko's drive to join NATO.
"The resignation letters from Our Ukraine ministers in the current government have just been filed with the Supreme Rada," Roman Bezsmertniy said.
Bezsmertniy said those resigning include Justice Minister Roman Zvarych, Minister on Family, Youth, and Sports Affairs Yuriy Pavlenko, Healthcare Minister Yuriy Polyachenko, Culture Minister Ihor Likhovoi and Interior Minister Yuriy Lutzenko.
But Anatoliy Hrytsenko and Borys Tarasyuk, the defense and foreign ministers respectively, will remain at their posts on condition they not join the opposition to the pro-presidential group, Bezsmertniy said.
Our Ukraine formally announced Tuesday it is going into opposition to the prime minister, and urged its members in the government to quit their posts and form a shadow Cabinet.
Initially, Lutzenko declined to resign, but said that if the president deems the resignation necessary, he will do as he wishes. He also acknowledged that his relations with Yanukovych and the ministers loyal to him were "not particularly comfortable, but businesslike."
Yanukovych said Tuesday he has agreed with President Yushchenko to continue working on a broad parliamentary coalition.
On Wednesday, however, President Yushchenko said his ministers have to be consistent and resign, abiding by the party's instructions.