Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has tendered his resignation, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has reported.

"I have made my personal decision to ask the Ukrainian president to accept my resignation from the post of Ukrainian prime minister in order to create additional opportunities for a socio-political compromise and settle the conflict peacefully," Azarov said in a statement.

He noted that the current conflict situation in the country endangering Ukraine's economic and social development poses a threat to the entire Ukrainian society and every citizen.

"During the confrontation the government has done everything to resolve the conflict peacefully. We have done and are doing everything to prevent bloodshed, the escalation of violence and the violation of human rights. The government ensured the functioning of the economy and the system of social security in extreme conditions," he said.

Azarov said that "during all these difficult years I did everything to ensure that Ukraine could develop normally as a democratic European state."

"I made decisions and assumed responsibility in the interests of the Ukrainian people. And therefore I can honestly look into the eyes of every citizen of our state, every compatriot," he said.

He also thanked Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych for confidence in him.

"I am grateful to all MPs who supported during all these years the government's difficult work on modernizing and reforming the country," reads the statement.

Azarov also said he was grateful to all Ukrainian citizens who supported the government and him personally, and believed in the correctness of the policy pursued by the Cabinet of Ministers.

"Today the most important thing is to preserve the unity and integrity of Ukraine. It is much more important than anyone else's personal plans or ambitions. That's why I made this decision," he said.

As reported, Azarov was appointed Ukraine's prime minister in March 2010. On December 3, 2012, the Azarov-led government was dismissed due to the election of a new parliament.

On December 9, 2012, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych submitted a motion to the Verkhovna Rada of the seventh convocation appointing Azarov as Ukrainian prime minister. On December 13, the parliament considered the motion and supported this candidacy.