Moscow (ANTARA News) - Ukrainian Defense Minister, Valery Geletey, stepped down with President Petro Poroshenko accepting his resignation officially, after fierce criticism from most political parties in the country.

According to Russian news agency (Interfax), the Ukrainian leader is expected to announce a candidate for a new Defense Minister next week.

President Poroshenko hopes the countrys Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, will support the candidacy he will propose and a new Defense Minister will be appointed.

The Ukrainian president stressed that it was time "to change the military leadership." Valery Geletey, served as the countrys Defense Minister since July 3, 2014, he filed a resignation report last Friday.

He has recently faced harsh criticism over Kievs anti-terrorist operation failures in south-east Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk and Lugansk regions, including claims that Russia has used tactical nuclear weapons against Ukrainian forces. According to KUNA.

(H-AK)

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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