Ukrainian Defense Minister Dmytro Salamatin has said that the current government had drastically revised its approach to developing the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"Low wages and obsolete equipment – these are the consequences of the ineffective national policy of the previous authorities in relation to the Armed Forces," the minister said at parliamentary hearings on the current situation and development prospects for the military system and security in Ukraine on Wednesday.
Salamatin said the key task of the Ukrainian army is to resume its operational readiness. Modernization and overhauls of armaments and military equipment are also among the priority tasks of the army, which could be implemented under condition of effective use of the defense budget, according to the minister.
Salamatin added that the drastic worsening of the operational readiness and state of equipment of the army in previous years was due to insufficient funding.
"Recent changes show that the current government has revised its approach to the development of the Armed Forces drastically," the minister said.
He added that he was ready to report on the results of his work as defense minister."I’m working with my sleeves rolled up," he said.
