Brian Mefford: Will prime minister’s post be International Women’s Day gift to Jaresko, Ukraine?

International Women’s Day gift for Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko: Despite surviving a no-confidence vote against the government on Feb. 16, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk now appears ready to resign. Facing the realization that he is in effect a lame duck, the premier is now negotiating the terms of his resignation. In this way, Yatsenyuk can play a critical role in the selection of his successor and lay the groundwork for an eventual return to Ukrainian politics. Yatsenyuk’s resignation is expected this week, which can trigger a special plenary session – probably on March 10. A key matter which Poroshenko and the West must manage is finding something else for Yatsenyuk to do. While a cabinet post is out of the question at this time, it is important to keep Yatsenyuk publicly supportive of the new government. If the choice was up to Yatsenyuk, he sees himself as the head of the World Bank. However, that will not happen anytime soon. Thus, the search continues.