Ukrainian President: Strong border is a key element of independence and an important element of the national security system of the state

President Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that a strong border is a key element of Ukraine's independence and an important element of an improved system of national security of the state.

"The key stronghold and element of our independence is Ukrainian sovereignty over Ukrainian soil. The border must be securely protected. And this is why I pay so much attention to the development of the border troops and the border service," the President said in a speech at “Kodyma” Division of the Border Service on occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Border Service during the working trip to Odesa region.

He noted that the border guards had reached enormous progress over the past four years: interacting with Ukrainian partners, including NATO countries; the priority of budget financing. "Pursuant to my order, almost 6% of GDP is spent on the defense and security sector. And border guards get proper funding. For me, this is a principled priority," the President emphasized.

Last year, when due to a shortcoming of the budget process we saw that the level of funding of each border guard was insufficient compared with the Armed Forces, I immediately convened a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council and this injustice was eliminated. Because you are an elite of the Ukrainian nation. You often defend our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity with a life-threatening risk," the Head of State emphasized.

The President called the legislative support for border guards important as well. "The Parliament supported in the first reading my law on the National Security of Ukraine, which clearly defines the role and place, functions of the State Border Service,” Petro Poroshenko said.

He also reminded that he had recently signed the law on the cardinal increase of liability for illegal crossing of the border, including by foreigners. "Increasing the responsibility for malicious disobedience of the lawful order of the border guards, servicemen, for the non-compliance with the decision banning the entry into Ukraine. You must be protected by law and I will do everything necessary for this," the Head of State emphasized.

The President said that the initiative on restoring criminal responsibility for illegal border crossing is being discussed in the Parliament, "which was so recklessly abolished a few years ago". "I am convinced that there is a necessary unity in the Parliament for this Law to be implemented as soon as possible," Petro Poroshenko noted.

Original