Poroshenko Says Plans To Start Implementing Kiev's New Missile Program If Re-Elected

Fakhir Rizvi Published March 17, 2019 | 05:30 PM

KIEV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th March, 2019) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming presidential vote, announced on Sunday that he would start implementing the country's upgraded missile program if he wins the race.

On Sunday, the Ukrainian president attended his campaign rally in Mykhailivs'ka Square in downtown Kiev.

"I will begin the next cadenza with the upgraded military missile program," Poroshenko said at the rally as broadcast by the Pryamiy television channel.

In early March, the Ukrainian leader said that Kiev reserved the right to create modern and effective weapons systems for self-defense, including new powerful missile systems, following Russia's and the United States' temporary suspension of their major bilateral arms control deal, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

Poroshenko claimed that the move had made Kiev free of certain restrictions and obligations that were allegedly imposed on the country while the INF Treaty was still in force, adding that Ukraine needed to develop high-precision missiles with an increased range so that they could hit targets far behind enemy lines.

The presidential election in Ukraine is scheduled for March 31.