Zelensky approves composition of Ukrainian delegation to Trilateral Contact Group

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved the composition of the Ukrainian delegation for participation in the Trilateral Contact Group for the Peaceful Settlement of the Situation in Donetsk and Luhansk Regions.

The head of state signed a decree to that effect on May 5, 2020, the presidential press service reported.

"The Ukrainian delegation to the TCG is headed by Leonid Kuchma, the President of Ukraine in 1994-2005, which ensures the continuity and inviolability of Ukrainian positions," the statement reads.

The delegation also includes Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov (first deputy head of the delegation), Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, MP Oleksandr Merezhko (deputy head of the delegation), Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Yulia Svyrydenko (Ukraine's representative in the working subgroup on socio-economic issues), Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy, MP Andriy Kostin (Ukraine's representative in the working subgroup on political issues), Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Polishchuk (Ukraine's representative in the working subgroup on security issues), Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans' Rights, MP Halyna Tretiakova (Ukraine's representative in the working subgroup on humanitarian issues).

According to the document, the head of the Ukrainian delegation and his first deputy may appoint deputy representatives of Ukraine in working subgroups and involve people's deputies, government officials, advisers, experts and technical staff in the work of the delegation.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is responsible for organizational, informational, advisory and other support of the Ukrainian delegation in the TCG.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, who moderates the activities of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG on the instruction of the head of state, said the presidential decree additionally regulated the composition of the Ukrainian delegation and defined the segment of responsibility of each member.

"The process of resolving the situation in Donbas is complicated and therefore must continue. Ukraine wants to take a tougher and more proactive position because we need significant progress in a number of issues. We need clearer definitions of controversial and conflicting points and a clearer definition of our own positions," Yermak said.

He stressed that Zelensky was closely monitoring the activities of the TCG and was interested in intensifying the work of the group to obtain more meaningful results.

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