Turchynov wants Ukraine to have "strongest army in Europe"
KYIV. Dec 17 (Interfax) - Ukraine needs to create a powerful army and reserves for its Armed Forces, National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said.
"We must have the strongest army in Europe despite economic problems. There is no alternative to this," Turchynov said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.
"Ukraine needs to create a 100,000-strong reserve of its Armed Forces. The reservists will be attached to military units and, whenever necessary, in a period of war, will immediately join the ranks and protect our country," he said, adding that the formation of a reserve army was a separate issue and a priority of the NSDC.
"Mobilization will help us renew the powerful 100,000-strong reserves," Turchynov added.
He said that the hostilities in Ukraine would end only after the liberation of all lands in the south and the east. "Our war will be over only when the entire territory of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, is free," Turchynov said.
