Ukrainian President Fires Third Defense Minister This Year [View all]

[Purveyor]

Source: AFP-JIJI

KIEV – President Petro Poroshenko on Sunday dismissed Ukraine’s third defense minister since the March seizure by Russia of Crimea and the subsequent uprising by pro-Kremlin insurgents in the separatist east.

The Western-backed leader’s official website said he would nominate a new defense chief on Monday after “accepting the resignation” of Valeriy Geletey.

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But the sacking also highlights a sense of failure that has enveloped the once-proud Soviet-era force as the six-month crisis drags on and the death toll from the conflict approaches 3,400.

It also threatens to undermine Poroshenko’s position ahead of crunch peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Milan on Friday.

Read more: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/10/13/world/ukrainian-president-fires-third-defense-minister-year/#.VDr-wleSUWc