Oleksandr Turchynov: Transition to NATO standards is impossible without preparing a new formation of strategic level leaders

The transition to NATO standards is impossible without preparing a new formation of strategic level leaders. This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchinov during the awarding of diplomas to the graduates of the program "Strategic Leadership: Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine".

According to him, a year and a half ago, the NSDC of Ukraine in partnership with the United Kingdom, Canada and the NATO office in Ukraine "launched a program for top-managers of the defense sector of Ukraine "Strategic Leadership: Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine" on the basis of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy with the involvement of the best Ukrainian and foreign experts and specialists of the security and defense sector".

"Our common task is to strengthen the defense capabilities of our state. Our defense-industrial complex must provide the army with powerful weapons and advanced equipment. The reform and development of our Armed Forces must ensure their ability to withstand a violent enemy, - the NSDC Secretary stressed. - We must ensure the effective functioning of the SSU, the National Guard, and other security structures that counteract attempts to destabilize the situation in our country, which today is one of the key priorities of Russia's hybrid war against us".

According to Mr. Turchynov, there is no alternative to European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. At the same time, he noted that NATO standards "are not only modern weapons, not just new staffing and a new structure of power ministries and agencies". "These are primarily people, managers able to understand new tasks and ensure their implementation, - he said. - And these are exactly the leaders of the strategic level who had been prepared for a year and a half in the unique Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, today, we congratulate them on obtaining master's diplomas".

Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine informed that the program involved civilian and military ministries and departments, and noticed that the joint program "gave a very effective and high-quality result". He expressed his conviction that this program will be further delivered.

Addressing the graduates, Oleksandr Turchynov wished that "the theory turned into practical joint achievements", and awarded diplomas to them.