Reforms of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and Armed Forces are based on the NATO principles and approaches

General of the Army of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, stressed it during a meeting with Mr. Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary General of the NATO.

“The reform will be null and void if we do not follow the NATO principles and approaches,” the Defence Minister underlined and thanked Mr. Vershbow for the NATO’s support, “NATO advisors do a great job while cooperating with us in our reforms process.”

Stepan Poltorak informed about the ongoing conflict in the east of Ukraine and mentioned its escalation during the last days.

The parties also discussed the political situation in Ukraine and its influence on the reforms in security and defence sector.

“Strengthening the defence of the state, reforms in security and defence sector join all the political forces in Ukraine,” the Minister said and spoke about the reform in the Ministry.

“We must start reform from the top, from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The respective activities will be carried out in the General Staff and Armed Forces of Ukraine as whole,” he stressed.

He underlined the Ministry of Defence will become the central executive body capable to take efficient decisions in a rapid manner, control the situation, and implement the reforms in the army at the end of this reform process.

Mr. Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary General of NATO, reaffirmed the NATO’s support to the Ukrainian people in realization of necessary and important reforms in the context of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.