Fokin apologizes for using word "rebels" in relation to illegal armed formations in Donbass: correctly - militants

First deputy head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group Vitold Fokin has apologized for the mis-speak in a recent interview with Ukrainian Radio, when speaking about the need to deploy the UN military contingent on the Ukrainian-Russian border in order to exclude the supply of aid, first of all, military, from the territory of the Russian Federation, he "recklessly used the term "rebels", - Interfax-Ukraine reports.

"Although this word was also used by the previous president of Ukraine, in particular, in his speech, if I am not mistaken, at the University of Zurich in January 2015, it would be correct to say "militants". I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by my words. As a patriot of Ukraine and as one of the first leaders of the revived Ukrainian state, I sincerely wish and will do everything for peace to return to Ukraine, so that our military and civilians do not die. This is how I see my role in the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group", - Fokin said in a comment.

He noted that he was really sorry that his mis-speak drew such a significant response in society. "At the same time, I want to assure everyone that the efforts that my colleagues and I are making to achieve our common goal - to restore the sovereignty of Ukraine and the territorial integrity of our state within internationally recognized borders, are incomparably more important than the unsuccessfully used word!" - he stressed.

As reported, on September 21, Fokin noted on the air of the Persona Grata program on UA: Ukrainian Radio that it was possible to use the mandate of the UN Security Council and form an "international provisional government" in the territories of Donbass not controlled by Ukraine to hold local elections there.

"Because as a rule, such elections are recognized as rigged, illegitimate, etc by one of the parties. If they are held under the auspices of the UN, no one will even open his/her mouth. The elections will be recognized as such that took place. The mandate of the UN Security Council has written down the right to create an international provisional government with a necessary term, maybe for a year or two. And international peacekeepers, that is, the UN military contingent can ensure the security. This proposal, in fact, is not new, it has already been discussed", - he said.

Fokin pointed out that Russia had previously agreed to this way of moving towards peace, but said that the UN military contingent should be focused only on the current demarcation line in the Donbass.

"Of course, we cannot agree with this. It is necessary either to locate the same contingent on the border with Russia in order to stop helping the rebels from there, or throughout the entire territory. After all, the Minsk agreements say that these UN troops can be concentrated on the contact line and on the territory where the elections will be held", - he noted.