Ukraine committed to eastern border reinforcement, has no border closure plans
The Ukrainian authorities will soon reinforce the eastern border, State Border Guard Service Chief Mykola Lytvyn said.
"The decision is being made. I believe we will see it in a few days, a major reinforcement of this border segment will happen shortly," Lytvyn told a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday.
The official emphasized that border closure was not on the agenda for now.
"There is no decision to close the border, border control posts, so far," Lytvyn said.
He added that a buffer zone might be created.
As to the demands of Ukrainians that the border with Russia be shut, Lytvyn said. "According to the classic scenario, the state border is closed by the armed forces under combat conditions. Then border guards will have regime and admission functions."
The official called for building defense lines along the Russian border.
"At this difficult time for Ukraine, I want to say with full responsibility that Ukraine should immediately organize defense rather than the protection of the Ukrainian-Russian sector of the state border using every resource of the state, especially in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions," Lytvyn said.
