Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko nominated the candidacy of the National Guard's Commander, Colonel General Stepan Poltorak for the defense minister's position, Russian news agency RIA Novosti said Oct. 13.
Poltorak's candidacy was presented to the Ukrainian parliament, locally known as the Verkhovna Rada.
During a meeting with the candidate, President Poroshenko underscored the high organizational ability and authority enjoyed by Poltorak.
"For me, the main thing was your professional and patriotic stance, decency, decisive steps to develop the National Guard's system from scratch, the discipline of the troops, and the strong fighting spirit," Poroshenko said.
On April 15, 2014 the Ukrainian parliament, on the third attempt, appointed Poltorak as the Ukrainian National Guard's Commander.
President Poroshenko accepted on Oct. 12 the resignation of Ukraine's Defense Minister Valery Geletey, stressing that it is time to change the leadership of this ministry.