Ukrainian journalists Denys Kazansky and Sergiy Garmash who were forced to flee from the occupied part of Donbas amid Russian aggression will start participating in the meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) for the Donbas settlement as representatives of the occupied territories.
"An important announcement. Starting today, I participate in the meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas. Let me remind you that it is called 'trilateral' since Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and the OSCE are considered parties to the negotiations ("LPR/DPR" is not party to the conflict). Immediately, before any questions arise, I'll say this is not about the Advisory Council, which was previously planned to be created and which the public opposed. The idea of creating such a Council was rejected, and it won't be implemented," Kazansky wrote on Facebook.
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The journalist said he opposes the idea of fixing a special status of the occupied territories in the Constitution of Ukraine, and stands for elections in the occupied territories to be held only once Ukraine has regained full control of the border, exclusively according to Ukrainian laws, with the return of Ukrainian TV, Ukrainian journalists, Ukrainian political parties, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
"I was offered to join the Ukrainian delegation to the Minsk TCG. Today I will already take part in the work of the political subgroup. As a representative of the occupied territories," journalist Serhiy Garmash wrote on Facebook.
He emphasized the representatives of the occupied territories from the Ukrainian side would not negotiate with the "DPR" since "there are no such three letters in Minsk agreements," but would consult with the Ukrainian authorities and agree or not agree to decisions regarding issues regarding Donbas important for IDPs.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said Ukraine from May 14 would start inviting internally displaced persons to partake in the work of the Trilateral Contact Group meetings on Donbas settlement as representatives of the occupied territories.
