Advertisement

Ukrainian parliament adopts law to create new national guard

Two days after Ukraine's acting President and Verkhovna Rada Chairman Oleksander Turchynov announced that Ukraine would establish a new national guard, the Verkhovna Rada -- parliament -- voted to enact the legislation to do so.

By JC Finley
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk (L) talks to Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov in the parliament in Kiev on March 11, 2014, a day ahead of his visit to United States. UPI/Ivan Vakolenko
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk (L) talks to Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov in the parliament in Kiev on March 11, 2014, a day ahead of his visit to United States. UPI/Ivan Vakolenko | License Photo

The Verkhovna Rada -- Ukraine's parliament -- adopted a law Thursday to create a new national guard.

Verkhovna Rada Chairman and acting President Oleksander Turchynov submitted legislation on the National Guard of Ukraine for a parliamentary vote at Thursday's session.

Advertisement

Following Russia's occupation of Ukraine's mostly pro-Russian Crimea region, Turchynov proposed the creation of a new national guard "to protect the country against all citizens, external and internal aggression."

After Turchynov made the announcement Tuesday, Parliamentary member and former Defense Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk estimated that Ukraine's new national guard could number between 45,000 and 50,000 troops and recommended it comprise reserve officers and interior troops "who are the most battle-worthy."

Interfax-Ukraine reported that 226 out of 330 members of parliament voted in favor of the legislation on Thursday.

[Interfax Ukraine News Agency]

Latest Headlines