A former adviser to President-elect Donald Trump recently shared that the incoming administration plans to prioritize achieving peace in Ukraine, potentially shifting focus away from supporting Ukraine’s efforts to regain Russian-occupied territory. Bryan Lanza, who served as a political adviser on Trump’s 2024 campaign, mentioned to the BBC that the administration will encourage Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to outline a “realistic vision for peace.” According to Lanza, if Zelensky insists on reclaiming Crimea, it could indicate a lack of commitment to peace, saying, “Crimea is gone.”
A spokesperson for Trump, however, distanced the president-elect from Lanza’s comments, emphasizing that Lanza “does not speak” for Trump. The spokesperson added that Trump’s strategy for peace remains focused on reducing military aid expenses in Ukraine, though details on how Trump plans to address the conflict remain undisclosed.
Lanza, who has served as an adviser during Trump’s 2016 and 2024 campaigns, argued that retaking Crimea is unlikely and not a current priority for the U.S. He claimed that if Zelensky insists on reclaiming Crimea with American military support, he would be on his own, highlighting that the U.S. has only provided military aid to Ukraine, not deployed troops.
In response, a Zelensky adviser criticized Lanza’s comments, emphasizing that Russia has been resistant to peace and is pushing for further conflict. Dmytro Lytvyn pointed out that Ukraine has been open to peace since 2022, offering realistic proposals. According to Lytvyn, “It is Russia that must be made to hear that peace is needed.”
Trump’s transition team clarified that Lanza is a contractor and not an official spokesperson, underscoring that Trump’s close team will lead any peace efforts once he takes office. A National Security Council aide noted that Trump’s decisions on national security often reflect his own judgment and are frequently made in the moment. Trump has maintained that he can quickly resolve the conflict but has not outlined specific steps to achieve this.
Zelensky and Trump held a conversation following Trump’s election victory, which Zelensky’s office described as “warm and pleasant,” lasting about half an hour. This interaction comes amid critiques from Democrats, who argue that Trump’s stance could lead to a risky concession to Russia. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal commented that Ukraine yielding to Russia could embolden further Russian aggression in Europe.
While Trump repeatedly stated he could end the war “in a day” during his campaign, a strategy document from two former national security chiefs advocated continued U.S. military support for Ukraine, tied to an expectation that Kyiv would engage in peace talks based on the current front lines. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Trump’s intentions to pursue peace, though skepticism remains on whether such promises could meet Ukraine’s objectives.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the Biden administration and European allies have provided extensive military aid to Ukraine, with the U.S. House recently approving a $61 billion package. Lanza contended that Western allies did not equip Ukraine sufficiently from the start, criticizing early limitations on Ukrainian military capabilities. The U.S. remains Ukraine’s largest arms supplier, having committed over $55 billion in weapons and equipment to support Ukraine’s defense.
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