Ukraine's parliamentary speaker calls for bolstering armed forces

KIEV, Ukraine, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- In the face of continuing Russian aggression toward Ukraine, parliamentary speaker Oleksandr Turchynov called for the strengthening of Ukraine's armed forces.

Turchynov's remarks were made in the midst of a fragile cease-fire and following the Verkhovna Rada's adoption of a presidential bill that grants eastern Ukraine limited self-rule, a major concession to end the rebellion by pro-Russian separatists.

"I am confident that even the adoption of these laws may not stop the aggressive intentions of the Russian Federation," Turchynov observed, calling instead for Ukraine to "use every day of peace, when there is no active military confrontation, not for political battles, but for the strengthening of our armed forces and the restoration of our military potential."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was meeting Thursday with U.S. officials in Washington, D.C., where he was expected to seek additional military support from the U.S., including lethal aid.