Poroshenko: Ukraine strictly adheres to the Minsk agreements

President Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that Ukraine strictly fulfills the Minsk agreements.

"I would like to stress that Ukraine steadily adheres to the undertaken commitments – we ceased fire," the Head of State noted in the course of the NSDC session.

Still, according to Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian servicemen have an opportunity to defend themselves and strike in response to aggression if necessary. "Ceasefire doesn't mean that we do not open fire in response. Respective orders, rights and commitments have already been provided to the military units and they have everything to defend themselves," the President emphasized.

At the same time, the President says that in parallel with the implementation of the agreements, Ukraine strengthens its positions by increasing the defense capacity. "We are conducting two parallel processes: the first process - we are strictly carrying out the requirements of the Minsk memorandum. The second process - we are actively and resolutely building up the combat potential of our Armed Forces," Petro Poroshenko said.

The President has informed the attendees on the results of negotiations with partners of Ukraine on the assistance in the restoration of combat capacity, particularly on the decision of the United States to provide non-lethal security assistance. "We will be armed with tactical UAVs, radio-electronic and counter-battery stations. Training and preparation of Ukrainian militaries, inter alia, with involvement of our partners from several NATO countries has been resumed," the President noted.

The Head of State has informed on his approval of the plan on building fortifications. The order of construction with respective appointment of contractors and RSA officials responsible for each area on the contact line and funding of these works has been agreed.

Petro Poroshenko has also reminded that under the agreements, upon completion of the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, all hostages must be liberated: "In eight days, when the period of heavy armament's withdrawal will expire, all hostages illegally kept by militants must be liberated within four days".

"We insist that hostages illegally kept in Russia must also be released and our partners from the United States and the European Union support us in this issue. It goes about Sentsov, Savchenko and other representatives of Ukraine," the President noted.