Turchynov resigns from National Security and Defense Council and promises to protect Ukraine from Russia
The secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov wrote a letter of resignation, reports the NSDC press service.
“Given the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, I am ready to further defend the country directly in military service in any military unit or military structure”, reads the statement addressed to President Petro Poroshenko.
Among the Turchynov’s achievements, the National Security and Defense Council noted the adoption of a new national security strategy and military doctrine, cyber security strategy and other milestones. In addition, the NSDC introduced sanctions against 3.1 thousand individuals and almost 1.2 thousand legal entities. The report notes that Turchynov "strongly promoted the revival of the Ukrainian defense industry."
After the change of power in Ukraine in 2014, from late February to early June, Turchynov served as the president. During this period, the Crimea was annexed by Russia, and hostilites began in eastern Ukraine. Turchynov made a decision to declare the anti-terrorist operation in the Donbas. He became the Secretary of the National Security Council the same year in December.
The National Security Council serves as an advisory body to the President of Ukraine on national defense issues. The chairman of the NSDC is the president of Ukraine. The body also includes the Minister of Defense, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the head of government and other high-ranking officials.