Bryan Lanza, a senior adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, has outlined a shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding the war in Ukraine, stressing that the Trump administration will prioritize achieving peace rather than focusing on regaining territory from Russia. Lanza’s remarks came during an interview with the BBC, where he explained that Trump’s goal would be to encourage Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to present a “realistic vision for peace.”
“President Zelensky needs to understand that if his position is that peace can only come if Ukraine regains Crimea, it will show that he is not serious,” Lanza said. “Crimea is gone. We need to focus on ending the conflict, not on territorial ambitions that are unrealistic.” Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 has been a major point of contention throughout the war, but Lanza made clear that the U.S. does not view reclaiming the region as a primary goal.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided substantial military aid to Ukraine, but American troops have not been deployed in combat. Despite this, Ukrainian forces have received extensive support in the form of weapons, training, and intelligence. Zelensky’s administration has consistently called for the return of all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which Russia annexed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
Lanza, however, argued that regaining Crimea is “not the goal of the United States” and that if the Ukrainian government insists on such demands, it would be on its own in seeking U.S. support for military operations. “If that is your priority—getting Crimea back and having American soldiers fight for that—you’re on your own,” Lanza stated, making clear that the U.S. will not support a prolonged military conflict over the region.
Lanza’s comments also reflect Trump’s long-standing stance of reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, which he views as costly and unproductive. While Trump has consistently expressed admiration for Zelensky’s leadership, he has made it clear that his administration’s focus will be on securing a peace deal, rather than pursuing a military victory for Ukraine. He believes that a focus on diplomacy will benefit both the U.S. and Ukraine, while reducing the strain on U.S. military resources.
Critics, however, have raised concerns that Trump’s approach could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and embolden Russia. Democratic lawmakers have accused Trump of being too sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin and have warned that his push for peace without the return of Ukrainian territories could embolden Russian aggression in the region. This tension is likely to play a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s leadership.
The Trump administration’s position on Ukraine remains unclear in many respects, particularly when it comes to the future of Crimea. However, Lanza made it clear that peace talks should be centered around achieving a ceasefire and ending the conflict, rather than pursuing the recovery of all occupied Ukrainian territory.
As Trump prepares to take office again, it is expected that Ukraine’s future will be one of the key issues in his foreign policy agenda. With ongoing concerns about Russian expansionism, Trump’s approach could significantly impact NATO relations and the broader security framework in Europe. While he insists that peace should be the priority, questions remain about what a comprehensive peace deal would look like and whether it can achieve lasting stability for Ukraine.
For now, the Trump administration’s approach to Ukraine remains focused on de-escalating the conflict and pressing for negotiations, though the terms and outcomes of any such peace talks will likely spark further debate among his advisers and international partners.
