You're reading: Britain to continue helping Ukrainian army

Ukrainian Defense Minister, Colonel-General Stepan Poltorak and a British delegation headed by Permanent Under-Secretary at the British Foreign Office Simon Fraser have discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation and assistance to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the ministry's press service has reported.

Poltorak said that Ukrainian President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Petro Poroshenko, since he assumed office, had declared a peace plan on the settlement of the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which is constantly violated by militants.

“Another stage of the ceasefire in Donbas has continued since Sept. 5. Over this period, Ukrainian troops involved in the antiterrorist operation have come under 729 attacks and shelling by pro-Russian bandit groups,” Poltorak said.

Fraser said that the British government was ready to fully support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He noted that the British side was well aware of numerous violations of the ceasefire by pro-Russian militants.

Poltorak also informed the British side of his priorities as defense minister, which were set by the president. They include the building of an effective defense system, the establishment of a proper level of cooperation with foreign partners, the modernization of weapons and military equipment, the development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces of Ukraine etc, he said.