KIEV, August 24 (RIA Novosti) - Kiev will allocate over $3 billion for the rearmament of the Ukrainian army and renewal of military hardware in 2015-2017, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Sunday speaking at the military parade in downtown Kiev.
"In accordance with our plan for 2015-2017, over 40 billion hryvnia ($3 billion) will be allocated for the rearmament and renewal of military hardware, which wil allow to modernize, purchase, and put in use planes, helicopters, warships and ferries, and this is just the beginning,” Poroshenko said at the militaryparade in Kiev marking Ukraine’s Independence Day
He also stressed that Ukraine should constantly be prepared to defend its independence. Poroshenko added that by the end of 2014, billions of hryvnias will be allocated for the renewal of weaponry and military hardware.
On Sunday, Ukraine celebrates national holiday, Independence Day. Military parade has
been held in the country’s capital of Kiev. In the meantime clashes continue in the east where since mid-April Kiev forces have been conducting a military operation aimed at suppressing independence supporters who refused to acknowledge the new government that came to power following a February 22 coup.