Influenced by “pacifist illusions”, Ukrainian politicians had undervalued the importance of strengthening the defensive capabilities of their country.
In remarks on Independence Day, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko regrets Ukraine’s surrender of its nuclear arsenal, according to RBK-Ukraine:
“Our enemy long prepared for such an underhanded betrayal. Twice in the last 100 years under the influence of pacifist ideals, the Ukrainian political elite underestimated the importance of strengthening the defensive capabilities of their country. In the 1917-20s this resulted in aggression from the east and loss of Ukrainian independence. And at the turn of this century, we once again fell into the same trap, believing the world had all turned vegetarian; and we even voluntarily disposed of our nuclear weapons. But war came once again from the same direction on the horizon, where, as always, none expected it.”
It should be noted the President vowed to budget over 40 million hryvnias towards the armed forces for 2015-2017.
[hr]Source: http://tvi.ua/news translated by Adrian Bryttan
