KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian economy minister whose resignation plunged the country into yet another political crisis says he hopes the scandal will help create momentum for economic reforms.

Aivaras Abromavicius resigned on Wednesday, saying he and his team could no longer drive forward the much-needed reforms because of resistance to their efforts from government officials.

Abromavicius said in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday that he is glad his resignation has served as a cold shower of sorts for the political establishment.

The Lithuania-born minister said he would not withdraw his resignation, unlike four other ministers, but he expressed hope that talks on how to make him and other ministers stay could help to accelerate the pace of reforms.