KIEV, Aug 1 - Ukraine recently suggested to Russia that the countries need to start discussions over a schedule to withdraw the Black Sea Fleet from Crimea when the lease expires, First Deputy Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko said.

"The fleet's withdrawal is no easy task. There are 14,000 Russian servicemen currently based in Ukraine, plus a large amount of military hardware, weapons and ammunition. All this must be prepared and removed. Ukraine must then take over all facilities and property in proper order. So, there's a great deal to be done and this work must be started on time," Ohryzko said in an interview with the newspaper Delo, published on Wednesday.