President Poroshenko: Martial law and mobilization possible if situation in eastern Ukraine worsens

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko doesn’t rule out introducing martial law and a new wave of military mobilization if the conflict with Russia worsens in eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president said this during an official visit to Lviv region, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Unfortunately, if the situation escalates in the east and in Crimea we don't rule out the possibilities that we will be forced to introduce martial law and announce a [new wave of] mobilization,” Poroshenko said.

At the same time, according to the president, the number of contract servicemen in the Ukrainian Army allows him, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to refrain from announcing a new wave of mobilization.

President Poroshenko also noted that at present the principal position of Ukraine is to coordinate relations with international partners, to renew talks with the neighbor-aggressor, as well as to try to force Russia to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk agreements and return the Normandy format.

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