The financing of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be increased this year, [President] Viktor Yanukovych said during the introduction of the new defence minister, Dmytro Salamatin. Yanukovych recalled that over the last two years the authorities have increased military spending.

Yanukovych also said that the Defence Ministry and the General Staff of the Armed Forces should create a plan of reform for the Ukrainian army.

Yanukovych recalled the housing issue. He emphasized that the country should get rid of the flatless officer phenomenon.

[Yanukovych] This year we will increase the financing of the Armed Forces, re-equipment and procurement of military hardware. All instances of squandering, let alone corruption, will be punished severely. I have given all the relevant instructions.