Mr. Tarasyuk has submitted his resignation. He told about this at a Tuesday press-conference. «I have met with the President Yushchenko today and decided to quit,» remarked Mr. Tarasyuk. Mr. Tarasyuk does not conceal they talked about his successor. «We have talked about it. I expressed my thought to the president but he is still hesitating. I believe the president will take a decision in the nearest time.»

Explaining his decision, Mr. Tarasyuk revealed that the decision had come after the Shevchenkivskyi district court had ruled nothing on his tenure as minister per se.

»I expected the Shevchenkivskyi court to consider my complaint per se but it failed. I think the court tries to drag out the process,» - he said.

»My personal opinion as a politician and a diplomat is that the case cannot be put on hold anymore. Its protraction harms the interests of the state and diplomatic service as well.» - he added.

Mr. Tarasyuk underscored he held the office of foreign minister willing to stand up for the interests of the state and to shift Ukraine’s foreign policy closer to the EU and NATO following Mr. Yushchenko’s directions.

»I cannot perform my functions because the heavy-handed tools of government are returning. An unwanted man can discredit the whole agency. – He said.

»I refuse to make the Foreign Ministry a hostage of the government misdeeds. As a diplomat with a 30-year experience, I cannot allow an overt scoffing at diplomatic service.»

Mr. Tarasyuk is certain he is in opposition to the ruling coalition since «the revision of the National Unity Pact». «Then the anti-crisis coalition launched the war against me as foreign minister.»