Trump ally says Zelensky must accept that ‘Crimea is gone’
A senior official from the US president-elect’s campaign emphasized that Kiev should adopt a “realistic vision for peace” with Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Kiev is encouraged to adopt a “realistic vision for peace” to resolve its conflict with Russia, according to a key figure from the US president-elect’s campaign.
The upcoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump will prioritize peace in Ukraine rather than an effort to reclaim all territory lost to Russia, according to Bryan Lanza, a senior advisor for the campaign.
Lanza, who has been a long-time strategist for the Republican Party and has collaborated with Trump since 2016, shared his views with the BBC on Saturday. While showing respect for the Ukrainian people, Lanza emphasized that a primary focus for the U.S. will be to achieve “peace and to stop the killing.”
He expressed skepticism about Kiev’s ambition to drive Russian forces out of all claimed territories, specifically referencing Crimea, which separated from Ukraine following the 2014 Maidan coup and was annexed by Russia through a referendum. Lanza did not comment on the four other territories that were incorporated into Russia in 2022.
When [Vladimir] Zelensky says we will only stop this fighting, there will only be peace once Crimea is returned, we’ve got news for President Zelensky: Crimea is gone.
Lanza clarified that the U.S. would not engage militarily on Ukraine's behalf to reclaim these areas from Russia. “And if that is your priority of getting Crimea back and having American soldiers fight to get Crimea back, you’re on your own,” he stated.
The Ukrainian leadership is urged to formulate a “realistic vision for peace” in preparation for future negotiations. Lanza criticized Zelensky’s belief that peace can only be achieved with the return of Crimea, arguing it illustrates a lack of seriousness.
“What we’re going to say to Ukraine is, ‘You know what you see? What do you see as a realistic vision for peace? It’s not a vision for winning, but it’s a vision for peace. And let’s start having honest conversation,” he added.
During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly asserted that he could resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. However, he has not provided comprehensive details on his approach. Meanwhile, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance suggested the possibility of freezing the conflict along the current front lines, requiring Kiev to relinquish its claims over territories held by Russia and its aspirations to join NATO.
Lanza’s comments on the Ukraine situation do not necessarily reflect Trump’s views, as reported by Reuters.
“Brian was hired to work on the campaign,” a Trump campaign representative stated to the agency. “He does not work for the president [now] and does not speak for him.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
The upcoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump will prioritize peace in Ukraine rather than an effort to reclaim all territory lost to Russia, according to Bryan Lanza, a senior advisor for the campaign.
Lanza, who has been a long-time strategist for the Republican Party and has collaborated with Trump since 2016, shared his views with the BBC on Saturday. While showing respect for the Ukrainian people, Lanza emphasized that a primary focus for the U.S. will be to achieve “peace and to stop the killing.”
He expressed skepticism about Kiev’s ambition to drive Russian forces out of all claimed territories, specifically referencing Crimea, which separated from Ukraine following the 2014 Maidan coup and was annexed by Russia through a referendum. Lanza did not comment on the four other territories that were incorporated into Russia in 2022.
When [Vladimir] Zelensky says we will only stop this fighting, there will only be peace once Crimea is returned, we’ve got news for President Zelensky: Crimea is gone.
Lanza clarified that the U.S. would not engage militarily on Ukraine's behalf to reclaim these areas from Russia. “And if that is your priority of getting Crimea back and having American soldiers fight to get Crimea back, you’re on your own,” he stated.
The Ukrainian leadership is urged to formulate a “realistic vision for peace” in preparation for future negotiations. Lanza criticized Zelensky’s belief that peace can only be achieved with the return of Crimea, arguing it illustrates a lack of seriousness.
“What we’re going to say to Ukraine is, ‘You know what you see? What do you see as a realistic vision for peace? It’s not a vision for winning, but it’s a vision for peace. And let’s start having honest conversation,” he added.
During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly asserted that he could resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. However, he has not provided comprehensive details on his approach. Meanwhile, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance suggested the possibility of freezing the conflict along the current front lines, requiring Kiev to relinquish its claims over territories held by Russia and its aspirations to join NATO.
Lanza’s comments on the Ukraine situation do not necessarily reflect Trump’s views, as reported by Reuters.
“Brian was hired to work on the campaign,” a Trump campaign representative stated to the agency. “He does not work for the president [now] and does not speak for him.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
