Ukrainian defense minister says to retain his position

KIEV, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that he would retain his current position despite the reports of dismissal, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Wednesday.

Speaking with foreign journalists, Reznikov said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked him to remain in his post in the coming months.

Earlier this month, David Arakhamia, parliamentary faction leader of the Party of Servant of the People, said that Reznikov would be replaced by Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's intelligence chief.

On Tuesday, Reznikov submitted the candidacies of his three new deputies to Zelensky for approval.