You're reading: Poroshenko says Ukrainian army will not go on offensive first

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has reaffirmed Kyiv's commitment to the Minsk agreements.

“I am very hopeful that very soon we will see the Ukrainian territories freed, but I stress once again: Ukraine has strictly abided by the Minsk agreements, so the Ukrainian armed forces will not go on the offensive first,” Poroshenko said during a visit to the Shyroky Lan training base in the Mykolaiv region, his press office said on Saturday.

The aim of the large-scale exercise that was held at the training range near Mykolaiv is to boost the country’s defensive capabilities, Poroshenko said.

The president praised the professionalism and high-level skills of the troops present at the training site, many of whom were mobilized. “The lion’s share of our military servicemen came from the fourth wave of the mobilization. Look what a high level they have achieved within just over a month or two,” Poroshenko said.

The exercise attests to the revival of Ukrainian armed forces over the past year, Poroshenko said.

“We are preparing to defend our country. There is an aggressor, an enemy in Ukraine now, and we must do all we can on our part to provide efficient defense. Those who today are taking part in these drills have brilliantly demonstrated their high level. Today the Ukrainian army is one of the most combat-capable,” Poroshenko said.