“We are doing everything possible to protect country. The support of the army is the task of high priority for today”, – President of Ukraine said.

Petro Poroshenko underscored that due to nationwide support, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been formed anew in a short term.

According to the President, the approaches to the training of troops and their logistics radically changed. “And the main thing: our army has gained an invaluable combat experience. Successful actions of our Armed Forces on liberation of occupied territory of Donbas conducted in summer of 2014, revived the faith of the Ukrainian people in their defenders and were highly appreciated by foreign military experts”, – President underscored.

All the attendees have paid tribute to the memory of the best sons of Ukraine, who sacrificed their lives for bright future of the Homeland in hostilities in the East of Ukraine, with a silence minute.

Petro Poroshenko has awarded title Hero of Ukraine and has presented the Orders “Golden Star” to four officers who had displayed courage, heroism, high level of professionalism defending sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.

The Head of State has noted that the best military commanders should be appointed to leading positions in the Armed Forces. “We must change tactics in the appointment of commanders – prove yourself in battle and go to higher positions. Only those commanders, who were tested with their soldiers on the battlefield, deserve to be commanders. I believe that such staffing policy will become precondition of raising of the Armed Forces on new qualitative level”, – the Head of State said.