Kiev could even negotiate with Moscow on the prospect of transferring Crimea to Ukraine.
This was told by the former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine Mykola Malomuzh in an interview with the Facts publication.
According to him, the Ukrainian government needs to be more flexible and allow Vladimir Putin to “save face”.
“But we see Putin rested. He says that the topic of Crimea is closed to him, and he does not intend to discuss it with anyone. But I think that in the future it will be possible to return to the topic of Crimea in negotiations with Putin”, – Malomuzh says.
Ignoring the strategic importance of the peninsula, he argues that the time will come when Crimea will be unprofitable for Russia.
“However, if you raise the question with such a position: “Putin, return Crimea to Ukraine!” – the owner of the Kremlin under no circumstances will not go to his consideration. Never”, – the former intelligence officer continues.
Instead, Malomuzh proposes to consider a “transition period”, within which a free economic zone under international control will be created in the territory of Crimea.
“Russia during this period also remains neutral. I know that Putin was, in principle, not against such an option”, – says Malomuzh.