We really need US support, but Ukraine must do its part - Poroshenko
Commenting on the US election results, Petro Poroshenko said that Ukraine could no longer afford irresponsible policies.
This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the ES press service.
"We cannot live without American support. But we have to do our part, not just try to shift the responsibility to our partners in order to say later that I failed because the partners are to blame. This will not work. This scenario is pulling Ukraine towards a catastrophe, it is fundamentally irresponsible behavior," the politician warned.
The ES leader called for a professional and competent strategy for Ukraine's relations with the Trump administration, starting from the first day.
"Because the window of opportunity will be very narrow. It will be measured not even in months, but in weeks, when the newly elected president will be able to implement his election plans. But I, for one, believe that there will be no cessation of arms supplies, no cessation of funding. The president has already approved the powers and decisions to do so. And here we must definitely get the fulfillment of all the agreements that were reached earlier," Poroshenko said.
He also emphasized that Ukraine's top priority is NATO membership.
"Not just an invitation, but homework that we have to do, where the door will be opened in the form of membership. And this should be the first day of peace. Because this and only this will guarantee the preservation of the agreements reached on a reliable security situation on the entire European continent. The interest of the United States is obvious. We have to convince them of the reality of this," Poroshenko explained.
"The first thing we have to do is stop fooling our partners and fooling Ukrainians. We will not join NATO when the state budget provides for a reduction in defense spending in terms of dollars, while Russia increases this spending by almost 40%. This is not how wars are won. And at the same time, the salaries of prosecutors are funded more than those of soldiers at the front," Poroshenko said.
"The budget cannot continue to finance the road fund. Funding for the security forces, which have nothing to do with the front, cannot be increased by 40%. We cannot have military units of police officers, SBI officers and others under 100% exemption from military service when there are not enough people at the front. The laws must be changed. The lion's share of funds should be directed to the Armed Forces. We have to return the funds, military taxes and personal income tax to the brigades, to enable them to buy what they cannot fight without," Poroshenko emphasized.
He also called for the fulfillment of the European Commission's requirements regarding media freedom, funding for the telethon, the Rada TV channel, restrictions on opposition rights, etc. "If we used to turn a blind eye to this, with Trump's presidency, such "excuses" will no longer be tolerated. It is the money of our partners' taxpayers," Poroshenko said.
