“I have repeatedly stressed that we are not heading empty-handed to NATO. In recent years we have created a strong, combat-ready army, which has tremendous experience in repelling Russian aggression, ”the president quotes Interfax-Ukraine.
He added that Ukraine "will significantly strengthen the alliance's eastern flank."
According to Poroshenko, the fact that in the east Ukraine protects not only itself, but “the whole European civilization, significantly strengthens” the country's moral right to apply for EU membership.
He said that at the moment Ukraine is focused on the implementation of the Association Agreement and the free trade zone, as well as increasing its exports to the EU.
The Verkhovna Rada, in the course of voting, adopted in its first reading a draft on amending the Constitution on the course of Ukraine to the European Union and NATO.