No Ukrainian soldier must die because of absurd political speculation, the minister says.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov labeled as "provocative" a recent statement about the "special status" for the entire Donbas in eastern Ukraine (Luhansk and Donetsk regions) and general pardon for militants.
The idea, voiced by First Deputy Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas settlement Vitold Fokin's, does not correspond to Ukraine's national interests, the ministry's press service quoted Avakov as saying on August 31.
"No Ukrainian soldier must die because of absurd political speculation. Therefore, the statement by the Ukrainian representative to the TCG, [Vitold] Fokin, about general pardon and a special status for all Donbas is provocative and not in line with the national interests," Avakov said.
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On July 30, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Leonid Kravchuk as chairman of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk.
On August 4, Kravchuk announced that Vitold Fokin was offered the position of "communications coordinator for all parties" within the TCG.
On August 18, Fokin officially joined the negotiating group.