President Zelensky dismisses Fokin from TCG

The relevant decree, No.414/2020, was signed on September 30, according to the president’s press service.

“President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree on the issues of the Ukrainian delegation’s participation in the Trilateral Contact Group. Under this document, Vitold Fokin has been excluded from the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG and dismissed as first deputy head of the delegation,” reads the report.

The Office of the President stated that it is a matter of principle for the President that all those entrusted with the performance of duties on behalf of the state should always be guided in their activities and statements by the national interests of Ukraine and act fairly.

President Zelensky stated that Fokin deviated from a "fair assessment" of Russia's temporary occupation of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, and certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

“To represent the state at any level is not a chance for personal views and ambitions, it is an unconditional obligation to implement the position of the state and the interests of the Ukrainian people," reads the report.

The Office of the President noted that the main goal of the Ukrainian delegation and the entire state is to return, exclusively on Ukrainian terms, all the temporarily occupied territories, Ukrainian people and establish lasting peace.

As reported, at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on September 29, Fokin said that he saw "no confirmation" of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

He named Russia as "counterparty" and reiterated the need to declare a general amnesty in Donbas.

Fokin was appointed as first deputy head of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG on August 18, 2020.

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