РНБОУ National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine

Oleksandr Turchynov: Martial law can be imposed only upon the existence of threats to the sovereignty and security of Ukraine

Martial law can be imposed only based on the scope of threats to the independence and sovereignty of the country. This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov at a press conference held today in the Main Situation Centre of Ukraine.

According to Mr. Turchynov, if there are threats to our sovereignty and security of the country as a whole, "primarily military threats, undoubtedly, under the Constitution, martial law should be imposed".

He also added that if such scenario is realized or the situation in the East of Ukraine is aggravated, Ukraine should react adequately.

"Martial law can not be implemented at the request of politicians, like a kind of political formula of the country's existence", - he said.

"Only based on the level of danger in some region or the whole country, the decision on the imposition of martial law can be made", - Secretary of NSDC of Ukraine emphasized.