Image: Bryan Lanza, a strategist for Trump
By: Smartenylopedia Washington D.C. News Bureau
November 9, 2024
A senior adviser to President-elect Donald Trump announUkraine ced that the incoming administration would prioritize achieving peace in Ukraine over supporting Ukraine’s territorial claims, signaling a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy. Bryan Lanza, a strategist for Trump, stated that while the U.S. respects Ukraine’s fight, the administration would urge President Volodymyr Zelensky to adopt a “realistic vision for peace.”
“Crimea is gone,” Lanza remarked in a BBC interview, stating that the new administration would not support Kyiv’s aim to reclaim Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Instead, Lanza said, Trump’s team would focus on ending the conflict, describing it as a “drain on U.S. resources” due to extensive military aid.
The U.S. has so far committed over $61 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, making it Ukraine’s largest arms supplier. Critics of the current administration, including Lanza, claim that the Biden administration and European allies did not provide sufficient military aid at the outset of the conflict, contributing to the war’s prolongation.
In October, President-elect Trump communicated with President Zelensky in a conversation that included entrepreneur Elon Musk. An insider described the call as “warm and pleasant,” noting it did not cover specific policy details but provided an open dialogue on the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Lanza’s comments mark a contrast to the Biden administration, which has endorsed Ukraine’s defense and supported Zelensky’s refusal to cede territory to Russia. Trump, however, has consistently expressed his desire to bring the war to an end quickly, pledging during his campaign that he could secure peace within “a day.” While he has not outlined specifics, he has often emphasized his negotiating approach, claiming it would bring an end to the conflict.
A former Trump National Security Council aide told The Wall Street Journal that Trump prefers to handle foreign policy decisions independently. “Anyone claiming to know his plans on Ukraine simply doesn’t,” they said, noting Trump’s habit of making “his own calls on national security issues.”
In recent remarks, Lanza underscored that the Trump administration would request Ukraine’s commitment to peace negotiations. He argued that any insistence by Zelensky on the return of Crimea could demonstrate an unwillingness to achieve peace. Instead, he proposed that Ukraine focus on stabilizing current front lines rather than aiming for full territorial recovery.
Trump’s Democratic opponents argue that this approach could weaken Ukraine’s stance, embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin, and jeopardize European security. Zelensky, who recently presented a “victory plan” to Ukraine’s parliament, emphasized Ukraine’s refusal to relinquish any territory, maintaining that full sovereignty is crucial to the country’s future.
Lanza’s remarks echo sentiments from a policy paper by Trump’s former national security advisors, which advocated continued support for Ukraine but suggested conditioning this support on peace negotiations. The document urged Ukraine to negotiate based on current front lines, rather than seeking complete territorial restoration.
Despite opposition to this potential policy shift, some within Europe have signaled openness to Trump’s diplomatic efforts. Earlier this week, Putin congratulated Trump on his election victory and noted that Trump’s aim to resolve the conflict “deserves attention at least.”
As Trump prepares to take office, his approach to the ongoing war in Ukraine is anticipated to be a defining component of his foreign policy agenda. The strategy aligns with his broader vision of reducing U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts but raises questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine as the conflict with Russia grinds on.