You're reading: Zelensky fires Fokin from Minsk delegation for denying Russia’s war in Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed ex-Prime Minister Vitold Fokin from the Trilateral Contact Group, where he served as the first deputy head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Minsk peace talks, the president’s office announced on Sept. 30.

The dismissal came after Fokin, 88, said on Sept. 29 that he had not seen any evidence that Russia is at war with Ukraine. He also said that the countries should declare a general amnesty, which, many fear, could release war criminals and human rights offenders and allow Russia to officially take over some of the territories of eastern Ukraine.

Zelensky criticized Fokin for deviating from the government’s political line and making unacceptable claims regarding Russia’s intervention in Ukraine.

According to the president, Ukraine can only reach a peace deal with Russia after the full de-occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and Crimea and after Ukraine regains control over its border with Russia.

“We cannot call it peace, the temporary occupation of our territories, turning a blind eye on the existence of occupying forces and lack of any safety in the region,” Zelensky said.

Fokin has also supported local elections in the Russian-occupied parts of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts and Crimea.

Like Ukraine’s former President Leonid Kravchuk, who is currently the head of Ukraine’s delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group, Fokin believes that Ukraine should make concessions on local elections, because Russia will be unwilling to have any further discussions in the Minsk peace talks with Ukraine otherwise.

Ukraine’s parliament opposed the idea — most of the lawmakers believe that holding elections in the eastern Donbas before the full de-occupation of the area would legitimize the militants who are de facto ruling the region.

Fokin’s statements became so unpopular that even his former supporters like Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and president’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak demanded his resignation.

“My personal attitude — Fokin should leave the Trilateral Contact Group,” Yermak said on Sept. 29.

Fokin’s appointment came under scrutiny earlier when his granddaughter, pop singer Masha Fokina revealed that it was her who recommended her grandfather to her “old friend” Yermak.