Interfax: Poroshenko plans to regain control on Ukrainian-Russian border within a week

KYIV. June 16 (Interfax) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced the authorities’ intention to regain control of the Ukrainian-Russian border this week.

“We are going to take decisive action to renew security on our national border this week. I hope we will fully succeed in doing so,” Poroshenko told a National Security and Defense Council meeting on Monday.

The border situation is the only factor that will keep the ceasefire in check, he said.

“As soon as the border is closed, we shall be able to declare a ceasefire straight away. Declaring a ceasefire on an open border is irresponsible in the situation that exists in Donetsk and Luhansk,” the president said.

He reassured that the level of combat readiness and determination of the Armed Forces, border guards and the National Guard gives reasons for optimism in resolving this problem.

Poroshenko also said that the retaking of control over the Ukrainian border will be discussed at the NSDC meeting, and stressed the positive changes which have occurred in this situation over the past week.

“The past week saw radical changes in the situation on this part of the (Ukrainian-Russian) border. Control has been regained and checkpoints installed on over 250 kilometers of the border,” the Ukrainian president said.