Ukraine has reportedly claimed that Russia has thousands of troops in conflict-torn Eastern Ukraine and has vowed to boost its own military capacity.
Noting that the stabilization of the situation in the east of Ukraine does not depend only on them, Ukraine Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak said in a statement that the presence of 7500 "representatives of Russian armed forces in Ukraine" destabilizes the situation and prevents them from stabilizing it, reported News.com.au.
Poltorak also said that Ukraine plans to bolster the strength of its military and boost the levels of arms and equipments but refused to provide a time frame.
His statement came after Ukraine's new five-party coalition declared that joining Nato was a priority.
Moscow has denied backing pro-Russia separatists fighting Ukrainian forces in the east.
The conflict has claimed nearly 1000 lives since a ceasefire began in September.