Bryan Lanza, a former Trump campaign adviser, has revealed that the incoming administration’s priority for Ukraine is achieving peace, rather than reclaiming occupied territory from Russia.
This stance has sparked controversy, with some interpreting it as surrender.
Lanza emphasised that regaining Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, is unrealistic and “not the goal of the United States.” He urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to present a “realistic vision for peace,” rather than prioritizing territory [1).
However, Zelensky’s adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn, countered that Putin is the one pushing for ongoing conflict. “Ukraine has been offering peace since 2022, but it’s Russia that must be made to hear that peace is needed,” Lytvyn said.
The Trump administration’s approach has raised concerns among Democrats, who accuse Trump of cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has consistently stated his goal is to end the war and stem the drain on US resources, but details on how he plans to achieve this remain unclear.
A recent paper by Trump’s former national security chiefs suggested continuing US military aid, conditional on Ukraine entering peace talks with Russia. Meanwhile, Putin has congratulated Trump on his election win, acknowledging Trump’s claim to end the war “deserves attention”.
As Trump prepares to take office, his approach to Ukraine remains a topic of debate. With the US being Ukraine’s largest arms supplier, committing $55.5 billion in military aid since 2022, the stakes are high.