Oleksandr Lytvynenko: The nature of the weapons deployed near the Ukrainian border is aimed at carrying out of the confrontation with NATO member states

"Analysis of the combat potential of the Russian grouping, which is deployed in the Crimea and near the Ukrainian border shows that these forces are directed not only at fighting with Ukraine but also at the confrontation with NATO member states", - Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Lytvynenko stated during his speech at the meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Council Ukraine-NATO in Kyiv on Wednesday.

"In particular, the deployments of missile systems, new submarines, missile ships, constant training of Russian long-range aviation are aimed at solving the same tasks that were set before the groupings of the Soviet troops in the Crimea during the Cold War. Those are the Black Sea Straits (Dardanelles and Bosphorus). Today, the strikes of the ports of NATO member states (Bulgaria and Romania) added to this", - Mr. Lytvynenko underlined.

Also, during his speech, Oleksandr Lytvynenko stated that Russian armed forces are using Donbas as a proving ground for the application of modern reconnaissance equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery, as well as the Syrian campaign is used to work out the tactics of Russian aviation.

"Russia, along with the operation in Donbas, continues the permanent deployment of the units near Ukraine's borders. Particularly, according to the statements of the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation, three new divisions, each more than 10 thousand people strong, are being deployed near Valuiki (Bryansk region), Boguchar (Voronezh region), Klintsi (Bryansk region), new army groups are being formed, comprehensive military infrastructure for large-scale hostilities is being created", - he underscored, adding that it is extremely important that the infrastructure of storage of the tactical nuclear weapons is being restored in the Crimea.

Under these conditions, Mr. Lytvynenko pointed out, Ukraine is strengthening its security and military capacities, accelerating the military reform. At the same, while the economic and military potentials of Russia and Ukraine, attracting of the international support becomes the task of critical importance.

He noted that Ukraine is guided by the clear abiding by all signed international agreements, in particular, it acts strictly in compliance with the Minsk agreements. "The prerequisite for the implementation of the political aspect of these agreements is the fulfillment of security arrangements. Which means that we can talk about holding elections in Donbas possible only after the cessation of fighting, the withdrawal of Russian regular troops from the territory of Donbas, the withdrawal of all mercenaries and the dissolution of all illegal armed groupings", - Oleksandr Lytvynenko summed up.

Ukraine, Deputy Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine summarized, is central to the global strategy of the Russian Federation. "Putin's aim is to continue the existence of the current political regime, which nowadays is legitimized in the eyes of the Russian society through an aggressive foreign policy. This policy is aimed at the restoration of the direct or indirect control within the former Soviet empire, and for this end Russia must, first of all, ensure the complete subjugation of Ukraine. For this purpose a wide arsenal of measures is used", - Mr. Lytvynenko said.