Ukraine, Kiev "ready to negotiate with Russia on Crimea"

Ukraine could negotiate with Russia over Crimea if Kiev succeeds in its spring counter - offensive .

The deputy head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, Andrii Sybiha , told the Financial Times.

"If we succeed in achieving our strategic objectives on the battlefield and when we are at the administrative border with Crimea, we will be ready to open a diplomatic page to discuss this issue," Sybiha said as quoted by the British newspaper.

The official also noted that Ukraine does not rule out the possibility of liberating Crimea by military means .

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that "Russia does not have sufficient resources to handle the situation in Crimea" and that Kiev "will take back the peninsula" within a maximum of "seven months".

Kremlin adviser Dmitrij Suslov takes the opposite view, explaining in an interview with Corriere della Sera: «We are certainly on the eve of a major offensive by Ukraine , whose main objective will probably be the Sea of Azov, in an attempt to cut the link with the Crimea». «The western narrative that Moscow has attempted and failed the offensive in Donbass is false . It was not a full-scale attempt in the conventional sense of the word, but increased pressure without massive use of troops on the ground. Small units were used, there were no real maneuvers - he adds -. Russia is using convicts, Ukraine is using regular troops.' « Chance to start negotiations? The probability is zero », his comment.

(Unioneonline/vl)