Ukraine's Lithuanian-born Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius abruptly resigned on Wednesday citing his inability to push through vital restructuring measures needed to get growth in the cash-strapped country back on track.

"Today, I made the decision to submit by resignation from the post of minister of Ukraine's economic development and trade," Abromavicius told reporters in Kiev.

"The reason is the sharp escalation in efforts to block systemic and important reforms."