**Ukraine’s First Prime Minister Dies at 92**
Vitold Fokin, Ukraine’s first prime minister and a former key figure in peace talks with Russia, has died at the age of 92. His granddaughter Maria Fokina announced his death on Facebook.
**Who was Vitold Fokin?**
Fokin was born in 1932 and began his career working in coal mines. After Ukraine declared independence in 1991, he became its first prime minister and served until 1992. He played a key role in shaping the country’s early years of independence.
**Controversies Surrounding Fokin’s Appointment**
In 2020, at the age of 87, Fokin was appointed as the first deputy head of Ukraine’s delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), which negotiates peace with Russia. His appointment sparked controversy due to his statements on Russia’s role in the war in Donbas. Fokin claimed that Russia had been “forced” to annex Crimea and denied that Ukraine was at war with Russia, contradicting official Ukrainian policy.
**Fokin’s Dismissal**
President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Fokin from his post in 2020, citing the incompatibility of his views with Ukraine’s official stance. Fokin’s remarks were widely condemned by Ukrainian officials, including former Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak.
**Current Developments**
In related news, Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukrainian targets overnight, including the Russian cities of Saratov and Engels. The EU is working to provide Ukraine with 5 billion euros for ammunition. Ukrainian officials are expected to meet U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia for peace talks.