Washington/London: A senior advisor from the incoming Trump administration has suggested a new approach to the Ukraine conflict, advising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider “realistic” goals in potential peace talks rather than focusing solely on territorial recovery. Bryan Lanza, a Republican strategist and advisor to Trump, told UK news outlets that the administration’s primary goal would be to end the conflict, even if it means sacrificing the goal of restoring Ukraine’s full sovereignty.
In an interview with the BBC, Lanza stressed that Trump’s team would likely encourage Zelenskyy to adopt a “realistic vision for peace” in order to bring about a resolution. “And if President Zelenskyy comes to the table and says, well, we can only have peace if we have Crimea, he shows to us that he’s not serious. Crimea is gone,” Lanza asserted. According to him, the Trump administration does not view the return of Crimea to Ukraine as feasible, signaling a potential shift in U.S. priorities regarding the contested territory.
Trump’s overarching stance on Ukraine, according to Lanza, will prioritize ending the war, underscoring that extensive military aid has significantly impacted U.S. resources. However, specific strategies remain under consideration, with varying perspectives likely to shape Trump’s overall policy. Lanza further remarked that regaining Crimea from Russia was “unrealistic,” leaving questions on the approach toward eastern Ukraine open.
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A Message for Zelenskyy’
“When Zelensky says we will only stop this fighting, there will only be peace once Crimea is returned, we’ve got news for President Zelenskyy: Crimea is gone,” Lanza told the BBC World Service’s Weekend programme.
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Meanwhile, reports indicate that President Joe Biden’s administration is expediting billions in security aid to Ukraine as he prepares to leave office in January. This assistance aims to bolster Ukraine’s defensive position before Trump’s possible inauguration, providing critical support for Kyiv’s government in the final months of Biden’s presidency.
