Khmara named three priorities of the Ministry of Defense and explained approach to mobilization
Yevhenii Khmara, whom the Verkhovna Rada appointed as Minister of Defense of Ukraine on August 19, named three main priorities for the ministry's work - strengthening the front, preserving human capital, and developing the defense industry. He separately explained that the further mobilization plan will depend on the overall vision of waging war, which is currently being developed together with the Commander-in-Chief and the General Staff.
Khmara outlined his priorities during a speech in the Verkhovna Rada before the vote on his appointment as Minister of Defense.
According to Khmara, Ukraine knows about Russia's further mobilization plans and its strategy for the autumn-winter period. He called the main task maximizing reduction of Russia's military potential and creating conditions to force the adversary to a just peace.
For this, according to him, coordinated work is needed by the President, Parliament, Government, General Staff, Ministry of Defense, combat units, Ukrainian weapons manufacturers, and international partners.
Three priorities of the new minister
The first direction Khmara named was the front and strengthening the military. Ukraine, according to him, must seize the strategic initiative on land, at sea, in the air, and in the information space.
He emphasized that the needs of combat units should reach the Ministry of Defense faster, and the ministry's decisions should reach the military faster. The procurement system is planned to be adapted to the pace of war and unnecessary bureaucracy in procurement is to be reduced.
"The military needs weapons - a lot, on time, and exactly those that bring results", - stated Khmara.
The new minister plans to pay special attention to the Deep Strike and Middle Strike programs. According to him, Ukraine will continue to develop technological capabilities to strike facilities that support the Russian war machine, including the defense-industrial complex, military logistics, and fuel infrastructure.
Khmara stated that there should be more Ukrainian weapons, and their use should be more precise. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense will continue working with allies to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian skies from ballistic threats.
Second priority - the military
Khmara named human capital as the second equally important direction. The life and health of servicemembers, according to him, must be an unconditional value, and technology development should reduce risks to personnel during combat missions.
The minister also announced his intention to directly communicate with military personnel, commanders, and the wounded.
According to him, a servicemember's motivation depends not only on material support, but also on the attitude toward him, quality training, and clear and fair rules of service.
Khmara identified the defense-industrial complex as the third priority. He called domestic arms production the basis of both Ukraine's current combat capabilities and its long-term security, so production is planned to be increased.
What mobilization will depend on
During questions to the candidate, People's Deputy Solomiia Bobrovska raised issues of mobilization, reform of the Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCC), contract service, and problems of unauthorized leaving of units (AWOL).
Khmara responded that a comprehensive solution is needed in the mobilization sphere, which must start from the situation within the military itself.
Among the key components, he listed decent treatment of servicemembers, conditions of service and combat operations, methods of selection and recruitment of personnel, equipment, training, weapons provision, gaining combat experience, and recovery of military personnel.
Only after addressing these issues, according to Khmara, can one move directly to the mobilization plan.
"The mobilization plan directly depends on the plan and vision of the war. It must be formed, it must be crystallized now", - he stated.
Khmara reported that this vision is currently being developed together with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the General Staff. After completion, it is to be reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief - the President of Ukraine.
Khmara did not specify concrete timelines for presenting the new approach to mobilization during the answer. Also, in this part of the speech, he did not separately detail future decisions regarding the reform of TCCs, contracts, and the problem of AWOL.
Khmara confirmed that he left military service
Separately, during the session, Khmara answered a question from People's Deputy Yulia Yatsyk regarding his status after moving to the position of Minister of Defense.
He stated that at the time of consideration of his candidacy, he was already a civilian. According to Khmara, he was discharged from military service in accordance with Article 26 of the Law "On Military Duty and Military Service" due to organizational measures for senior officers.
After the speech and questions, the Verkhovna Rada appointed Yevhenii Khmara as Minister of Defense. His candidacy was supported by 312 People's Deputies.
