Ukrainian parliament approves appointment of Poltorak as new defense minister

The Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, has approved the appointment of Stepan Poltorak as the country’s new defense minister instead of Valeriy Heletey, dismissed on Sunday. The decision was made by a 245-majority vote, TASS reported.

President Petro Poroshenko nominated Poltorak, 49, for the post on Monday. Poltorak had been the commander of the National Guard since April 15.

Late last week the presidential press service said that Poroshenko had accepted Defense Minister Heletey’s resignation. According to the statement, the president believes “time is ripe to replace the leadership of the Defense Ministry.”