Ukraine ‘ready’ to talk to Russia about Crimea

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Ukraine recently presented a 12-point plan to “liberate” Crimea. As a result, Russian forces did not hesitate and rearmed on the island to prepare for a Ukrainian counter-offensive: it was not long before they were hammering out trenches, anti-tank barriers and new installations.

It was hardly conceivable that Ukraine and Russia would be willing to discuss Crimea with each other. Until now. As Andriy Sybiha (48), senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (45), told the Financial Times, Ukraine is ready to talk to Russia about Crimea.

However, liberation of Crimea by the army cannot be ruled out

However, the Zelensky adviser put one condition on the possible talks: Ukraine’s counter-offensive must be successful. “If we manage to achieve our strategic objectives on the battlefield and reach the administrative border with Crimea, we are ready to open a diplomatic site to discuss this issue,” Sybiha said, referring to the long-planned counter-offensive in Kyiv. However, this does not mean that Ukraine excludes the possibility of liberating Crimea by the army.

The readiness for possible conversations comes as a surprise. So far, Zelensky has ruled out all negotiations with the Kremlin until Russian troops evacuate all of Ukraine, including Crimea.

Fear of nuclear resistance by Russia

Sybiha’s announcement is likely to reassure Western officials. Until now, they have been skeptical of Ukraine’s ability to retake the peninsula. There were also fears that an attempt to retake Crimea militarily could lead to a nuclear resistance on the part of Russia.

The situation in Crimea has deteriorated in recent weeks. Ukrainian forces have stepped up their attacks on Crimea, using drones to attack the peninsula by land and sea.

Because of the “concentration of forces” on the ground, Tim Woods, Chief of the British Defense Staff and Defense Attaché in Washington, also supports a political solution for the peninsula. On Wednesday he said he does not believe in a quick military solution. “So we need to see what conditions are favorable for Ukraine to negotiate, and I think Ukraine is ready for that.” (dzc)

Source: Blick