People's trust makes the army invincible – Poroshenko at the meeting with military commanders

President Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with commanders of brigades and battalions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Head of State notes that the Ukrainian army has gained invaluable experience in a year and currently it is in the top-5 armies of the continent. "We are doing everything possible to protect the country. The support of the army is the top priority task for today," the President said.

With the nationwide support, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been formed anew in a short term, as stated by the President. "Every Ukrainian, who is not just Ukrainian by passport, felt that building a new Ukrainian efficient and strong army is his task," Petro Poroshenko noted.

The President has emphasized that the attitude of people to the Armed Forces had radically changed in a year. Only 29% of people trusted the army a year ago. Today, Ukrainians trust the army more than the church. "Unconditional trust means that we will cope with everything. We will defend the country, because we have a firm and reliable support of people," the President said.

"Russian aggression against Ukraine has been waged in Donbas in various forms and manifestations for almost a year. Having started the implementation of his invasive plans in March 2014, the enemy took into account almost everything: from the readiness of the "fifth column" to the ruined security sector of the state. At that moment, only a small number of military units was ready to execute military tasks: 8 battalion tactical groups, 9 company tactical groups, 4 units of special purpose, 30 pairs of helicopters and 15 air defense battalions," the President noted.

According to the President, the Armed Forces had actual imbalance of management, half-collapsed and archaic system of logistics, extremely low manning level. "Scarce funding of the Defense Ministry did not provide even the minimum requirements of the Armed Forces. Thank God he sent us volunteers," Petro Poroshenko said.

The President has stressed that the enemy had been wrong in the main aspect – Ukrainians' readiness to take up arms to defend their Homeland, the indestructibility of our spirit and patriotism, not in words but in deeds. "In a short term, thanks to the nationwide support, effectively re-established Armed Forces managed to localize military conflict in certain areas of Donbas. Though the enemy planned to ignite the conflict throughout Ukraine," he said.

According to the President, approaches to the training of troops and their logistics maintenance radically changed. 70% of agreements on the maintenance of the AFU for the entire 2015 that will be 100% funded have been concluded for the first time in the history of Ukraine. The best representatives of voluntary movement have been involved in the control system of the AFU, thereby increasing the efficiency of the department. "And the main thing: in a year our army has gained invaluable combat experience. Successful actions of the Armed Forces on the liberation of the occupied territory of Donbas conducted in the summer of 2014 revived the faith of the Ukrainian people in their defenders and were highly appreciated by foreign military experts," he said.

The President noted that during the period from May 5 to August 23, the ATO Staff had planned and conducted more than 40 operations on the liberation of Luhansk and Donetsk regions from illegal armed groups and reconnaissance and sabotage terrorist groups. About 70% of Donetsk and Luhansk regions were liberated. "The response to our effective actions was the introduction of regular Russian troops on August 23. Since then, we have been dealing with the biggest and strongest army on the continent," he said.

Together with the President, all the attendees have paid tribute to the best sons of Ukraine, who sacrificed their lives for the bright future of the Homeland in hostilities in eastern Ukraine, with a moment of silence.

The President has particularly mentioned military achievements of volunteer battalions.

Commenting on the topic of territorial defense battalions, the President said that all of them should be vertically integrated into the structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and strictly obey the given structure. "Territorial defense will be subordinated to the strict military vertical. Our governors will not have their own armed forces!" the President noted. These words were supported by particular applause.

Speaking of rotation in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the President noted that the fourth wave of mobilization was quite different. "Now, militaries are well-equipped, dressed and trained," the Head of State noted. The President has stressed the need for creating favorable conditions for the return of demobilized warriors to normal life.

He has also noted that it was necessary to create high-quality military reserve. "I have submitted a bill on the reserve of the first line. Those who proved themselves in battle will be on the front line in a few hours as soon as conditions change," Petro Poroshenko said.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Defense of Ukraine Colonel General Stepan Poltorak and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Colonel General Viktor Muzhenko.

Photo from: newsonline24.com.ua.