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Ukraine calls for new national security doctrine amid concern of Russian invasion

"Russia may unleash a full-scale continental war. And this may happen at any time," Oleksandr Turchynov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, said Wednesday.

By JC Finley
Oleksandr Turchynov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, pictured in March 2014 viewing a military exercise near Goncharovsk, Ukraine. UPI/Sergey Starostenko
Oleksandr Turchynov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, pictured in March 2014 viewing a military exercise near Goncharovsk, Ukraine. UPI/Sergey Starostenko | License Photo

KIEV, Ukraine, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Ukraine needs to bolster its armed forces in order to be better prepared for a potential Russian invasion, a senior Ukrainian defense official said Wednesday.

"We have no alternative to being ready for this," Oleksandr Turchynov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, emphasized at a press briefing Wednesday in Kiev.

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"The challenges facing our country today are serious and dangerous. The ceasefire that is constantly violated by Russian terrorist groups may at any moment turn into a new brutal confrontation. Russia may unleash a full-scale continental war. And this may happen at any time."

In order to defend itself from a potential invasion, the NSDC must strengthen the military, he said, "in order to build a powerful defense complex prepared to repel the aggressor and be fully prepared to completely liberate our territory."

Turchynov acknowledged that doing so would require financial investment at a time when Ukraine is struggling economically.

"Despite the saving of all resources, first and foremost, finances, we cannot save on our Armed Forces, our National Guard, and on our defense."

Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said earlier that Ukraine planned to nearly double military spending, an increase of about $3.2 billion.

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The NSDC secretary's comments were made in advance of a meeting about the defense budget, scheduled for Saturday.

Russia has been accused by Kiev and the West of inciting unrest in eastern Ukraine, and supplying both military equipment and personnel to the rebels in their battle against the Ukrainian government.

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