Ruslan Demchenko, the Ukrainian president's advisor and former first deputy foreign minister of Ukraine, might represent Ukraine in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ukraine's ex-president Leonid Kuchma said.

However, he said the final decision will be made by the president.

"A decision on the successor will be made by the president, that's his [power]. [...] I have already stated my opinion that presidential advisor Ruslan Demchenko has always been with me, he is a professional, an experienced diplomat, he was first deputy foreign minister and he was an ambassador. But again - these are my ideas," Kuchma told reporters in Chernihiv on Friday when asked whom he sees as his successor.

Kuchma also said he is certain that the work of the TCG will continue. "The Trilateral Contact Group will continue. Nothing will fall from the sky and nothing will get in the way. The main thing is that we should get results, but [...] there is little hope," he said.