Trump Team Clarifies Its Stance on Ukraine Peace Following Strategy Expert's Comments
President-elect Donald Trump's transition team clarified its position on Ukraine today, distancing itself from comments made by Republican strategic expert Bryan Lanza regarding a possible peace plan in the region. Lanza, who has worked as a contractor on Trump’s 2024 campaign, previously indicated that the new administration would seek a "realistic vision for peace" from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasizing the establishment of peace rather than the recovery of lost territories, including Crimea.
In an interview with the BBC, Lanza stated that if Zelenskyy conditions peace on the return of Crimea, it would indicate a lack of seriousness in finding a solution. He implied an acceptance of the current situation after Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014 by saying, "Crimea is gone."
In response, a spokesperson for Trump's transition team asserted that Lanza does not work for the president-elect and does not have the authority to speak on his behalf. The transition team is currently focused on reviewing personnel for Trump’s second term and developing policies.
Throughout the election campaign, Trump had promised to find a solution to end the war in Ukraine "in one day," yet provided no details about his approach. Following the U.S. elections, Trump and Zelenskyy had a phone call that included billionaire Elon Musk. Trump did not dismiss the possibility that Ukraine might have to cede territory to Russia, and his comments regarding the conflict have generally been vague.
Russian forces currently control approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, more than two and a half years after the annexation of Crimea. President Zelenskyy has consistently argued that peace cannot be achieved until all Russian forces withdraw and all territories, including Crimea, are returned to Ukraine. The "victory plan" includes these demands as well as an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO, a proposal vehemently opposed by Russia.
Ukraine has requested advanced weapons from the U.S. and authorization to use them against Russian targets but has not requested the deployment of U.S. forces on its territory.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward conditions for peace talks that involve Ukraine ceding the four regions annexed by Moscow, although Russia does not yet have full control over these areas. Meanwhile, after recently failing in its initial advances toward the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Russian troops have captured several villages on the eastern front.