Interfax-Ukraine
August 10, 2014
Truce should be used to strengthen positions of Ukrainian security forces – defense minister
Ukrainian Defense Minister Valeriy Heletei has said he does not rule out that the ceasefire could end, and refutes allegations of militants holding over 2,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war.
“There is a political decision on the truce. We, as the military, are guided by the rule: ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.’ This period for us is an opportunity for reinforcement in all directions: from logistics to engineering structures under construction, and the strengthening of human resources. The truce for us is preparations for the possible processes that may occur as a result of a ceasefire violation,” he told reporters before an expanded government meeting with the participation of the president in Kyiv on Wednesday.
When asked whether the Defense Ministry does not rule out the possibility of the end of the ceasefire, Heletei said: “In any case, we have no right not to exclude such a scenario. That is, we are preparing, and this ceasefire for us means to prepare for defending our positions in Luhansk and Donetsk regions.”
He also denied allegations by militants that they allegedly hold over 2,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war.
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