The Ukrainian president has also instructed the country's defense minister to change the format of the military operation in conflict-torn eastern Ukraine by April 1.
"I would like to ask you [Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak] to prepare the relevant proposals on changing the format [of the military operation] in accordance with this law [on reintegration of Donbass]. I would also ask you to prepare the candidature of the commander of the joint forces [fighting in Donbass]," Poroshenko said at a Cabinet meeting, which was broadcast by the "112 Ukraine" television.
Poroshenko also instructed the minister to submit a draft proposal to the joint operational headquarters, the strategic plan for the use of the armed forces and other components of the Kiev-led joint forces in eastern Ukraine. All these proposals must be ready for signing by April 1, Poroshenko announced.
Talks With Merkel
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed in phone talks on Tuesday the possible deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission to conflict-hit eastern Ukraine, Poroshenko's press service said.
"Petro Poroshenko and Angela Merkel exchanged views on issues related to the restoration of the effective work of the Joint Center on Control and Coordination in Donbas and the possibility of deploying a UN peacekeeping mission in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions," the press service said in a statement, adding that special attention was also paid to the prompt release of prisoners of war by conflicting sides.
According to the statement, the German chancellor Angela Merkel and the Ukrainian president exchanged views on political and economic reforms in Ukraine.
"They also exchanged views on the progress of reforms in Ukraine, especially on decentralization and the situation in the energy sector," the statement said.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) launched the ATO operation aimed at undermining the efforts of the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk to break away in April 2014, following the February 2014 coup in the country's, also known as the Euromaidan Revolution.
The offensive was conducted by both Ukrainian military personnel and ultra-right volunteer battalions, with the participation of Western instructors and advisers, spotted in the region. Commenting on the reported arrival of US military instructors in the Donbass region, Russian military expert Viktor Baranets described it as a direct interference in the Ukrainian conflict by the White House.
The State Department reportedly that approved the delivery of lethal weapons to Ukraine, including anti-tank Javelin missiles in December 2017.
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