President of Ukraine addresses compatriots

President of Ukraine addresses compatriots

Bilateral ceasefire in Donbas became sustainable only thanks to Normady Quartet" meeting in Paris, President Poroshenko said in his televised address to the nation.
"Coordinated joint efforts with our partners - Germany, France and the US succeeded in getting commitment of Russia not to hold pseudo elections in the occupied areas of Donbass on October 18 and November 1," - he said.
The decision on cease-fire and armistice is not only a chance to continue efforts to reach political and diplomatic solution of the conflict. This helps avoid military escalation, said Poroshenko.
Very important is the agreement to strengthen the OSCE mission. Now, observers should receive not only guaranteed access to the occupied territories adjacent to the boundary line, but also deep into the territory up to Ukrainian-Russian border. This is the first step to return border control to Ukraine, he said.
The President said that next year Ukraine will increase defense spending. He said the new spending will be included into the budget for 2016, in addition, more money will be provided to Ukraine by the United States. The corresponding decision was already adopted by the US Congress, informed Poroshenko.