Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has informed the leaders of factions and parliamentary groups in the Verkhovna Rada about further planned appointments.
“The president of Ukraine has announced that he will ask the Verkhovna Rada to endorse the appointment of Colonel General Valeriy Heletei to the post of defense minister and the appointment of Lieutenant General Viktor Muzhenko to the post of General Staff chief,” the presidential press service has reported.
Poroshenko also said that he would appoint Yuriy Kosiuk to the post of first deputy presidential chief of staff for security issues.
“The head of state noted that he would appoint Yuriy Kosiuk as first deputy presidential chief of staff in charge of these matters in order to coordinate the work of security services and bolster their handling qualities,” the press service said.
Furthermore, the president told parliamentarians that amid the continuing military operation in Ukraine’s southeastern regions, the country’s security services “require reinforcement and serious comprehensive and systemic reforms.”
“Today we demand that our servicemen act resolutely and professionally in order to ensure the effectiveness of measures in the area of the anti-terrorist operation,” Poroshenko said.
Enhancing the combat readiness of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and providing them with advanced weapons and military hardware are among the country’s top priorities, he said.
Instances of corruption have been detected among the country’s high-ranking military officials even in the current situation, he said.
“I will insist that the army should be purged of thieves and bribe takers. All corrupt persons wearing army shoulder straps must be held to account for their actions against the people of Ukraine,” Poroshenko said.
