President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko visited the National Defense University of Ukraine named after Ivan Chernyakhovsky, where he congratulated the scientific and pedagogical team, students and graduates of the university with the early graduation of officers, UNN reports with reference to the press service of the head of state.

The President personally presented diplomas to outstanding graduates of the Defense University — officers of operational-strategic and operational-tactical levels of training.

The head of state emphasized that the last twelve months will go down in history as the year of the revival of the Ukrainian army.

"We managed to restore combat capabilities in an extremely short period of time and restrain the onslaught of a well-prepared enemy equipped with modern equipment and weapons. The Armed Forces of Ukraine passed this test with honor and proved that they are a reliable support in protecting the sovereignty of our country," said P. Poroshenko.

Addressing the graduating officers, the President noted that the shortening of the training period and early graduation are due to the fact that "even under the most optimistic scenario in Donbas, even under a long-term ceasefire, which would turn into a political settlement and permanent peace, the military threat from the East will remain , unfortunately, relevant." According to him, this will require constant efforts to strengthen the country's defense capability and the fighting capacity of the Ukrainian army.

P. Poroshenko also reported that on February 26, the Ukrainian Armed Forces began withdrawing heavy equipment and artillery in accordance with the Minsk agreements.

"According to the agreements we reached in Minsk, we started the withdrawal of some heavy weapons from the demarcation line in Donbas. However, this is only the first test step, the very beginning of the implementation of the peace plan, which is constantly violated by our adversary. At any time, at any moment, our military is ready to return the equipment to the previous frontiers, to repulse the enemy in the shortest possible time," the President emphasized.

After the awarding of the diplomas, the graduates took a solemn oath, promising to carry the rank of officer high, to stand guard over Ukraine, to protect the safety and well-being of the Ukrainian people, to faithfully serve and defend the Ukrainian state.

According to the material: UNN