Verkhovna Rada refuses to accept resignation of acting defense minister

11:16, 25.03.2014 1 min read

Ukraine's acting Defense Minister Ihor Teniukh said in the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday that he would like to step down.

"I, the acting defense minister of Ukraine Admiral Teniukh, am handing in my resignation," he said.

The Ukrainian parliament, however, refused to accept Teniukh's resignation.

The acting defense minister also denied accusations that he allegedly failed to issue timely orders to Ukrainian Armed Forces units in Crimea.

Teniukh said that on March 3 he authorized Ukrainian servicemen deployed in Crimea to use weapons in accordance with their rules of engagement. Another such order was issued after a Ukrainian officer was killed in Simferopol.

Teniukh denied all media reports claiming that he had issued these orders belatedly.

The acting minister also said that he "has never clung to this post."