KIEV, September 10 /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Valery Galetei said on Wednesday that the Ukrainian army would use the current truce in Donbas to strengthen and reinforce its positions.

“Truce is a political move. But the army and the defense minister should stick to a different principle: if you want peace, get ready for war. So, we regard the truce as a chance to regroup our forces, strengthen and reinforce our positions. I mean positions from where an offensive against us could start. For use, the truce is just a chance to get stronger,” the defense minister told journalists.

He was absolutely open that the Ukrainian army was using the ceasefire to regroup its forces. “We are regrouping our forces and border guards. Our aim is not to attack or launch an offensive but to ensure effective protection of our territory,” Galetei added.

He described the ceasefire as a positive factor.

“The number of daily skirmishes has reduced from 58 to 14. Today, an absolute truce is impossible and hard to imagine because not every person on the frontline understands what truce is,” the Ukrainian defense minister said.