Russia must capitalize on experience of former Ukrainian soldiers, law-enforcers - Putin
MOSCOW. March 28 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged that the most be made of the experience of Ukrainian army and law-enforcement professionals who have decided to serve Russia and demanded respect for those who chose to return to Ukraine.
"We need to make the most use of the professionals who served in the Ukrainian bases in Crimea, who worked in law-enforcement and other special agencies and were fulfilling their duty with dignity, and made a personal decision to serve Russia," the president said at a ceremony introducing to him top officers on the occasion of new appointments and the awarding of ranks.
"They will retain their military ranks and service record and have their school diplomas recognized," Putin said.
"The pay and social status (of these military servicemen) will be brought in line with the Russian legislation," the president said.
"Currently, our (military) pay is about four times that of Ukraine," he recalled.
"Over the next few days the Russian government will make relevant decisions on all the matters concerning military pensions, allowances and salary payouts," the head of state said.
"We respect the choice of those Ukrainian service members and other law enforcement officers who are returning to Ukraine," Putin said. "Attitudes towards them and their families must be extremely correct, as required by the traditions of military honor," said the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
