President urges people's deputies to convene an emergency meeting to consider issue of martial law

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko urged people's deputies to arrive in Kyiv tomorrow at an emergency meeting of the Verkhovna Rada in order to closely consider the issue of martial law in the country. He said this at an urgent meeting of the NSDC.

The head of state supported the proposal of the military cabinet to make a decision on the imposition of martial law at a meeting of the NSDC. During the meeting, Secretary of the NSDC Oleksandr Turchynov proposed to impose martial law for a period of 60 days.

"I would like to appeal to the people's deputies, to ask them to arrive to Kyiv tomorrow at an emergency meeting of the Verkhovna Rada so that we have a closed discussion of the draft decision and responsible decision-making to ensure the defense of the state", - Poroshenko said.

He emphasized that the introduction of martial law does not mean that Ukraine will carry out any offensive actions. "Ukraine will conduct exclusively actions to defend its territory and protect its citizens. It also does not mean a change of position on the contact line in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and other areas. But we must be ready", - the president said.

Poroshenko also noted that the decision does not provide for immediate mobilization.

"But appropriate work will be carried out with the first line reserve. I appeal to you, dear veterans, to be ready. We must provide all necessary measures in the shortest possible time to stop the enemy and protect our state", - the head of state said.