Bryan Lanza, who is described as a long-time Republican Party strategist, speaks out in an interview with BBC which was sent on Saturday.
The incoming Trump administration is going to ask Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a “realistic vision for peace,” according to Lanza.
– And if President Zelenskyj comes to the table and says – well, we can only have peace if we have Crimea – he shows us that he is not serious. Crimea is gone, says the adviser.
– And if you prioritize getting Crimea back and want American soldiers to fight to get Crimea back, then you have to fend for yourself, Lanza continues.
He says Trump’s administration will prioritize “peace and stopping the killing”.
Lanza has been a political adviser to Trump ever since the election campaign in 2016, but after the election victory this year he no longer works for the president-elect.
Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in 2014 after a popular uprising forced Ukraine’s pro-Russian president to flee. Over 2.5 years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russians occupy almost 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
Zelenskyi has repeatedly said that there can be no peace between the two neighboring countries until all Russian forces are expelled and all territory is returned to Ukrainian control.
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**Interview with Bryan Lanza: Insights on U.S. Policy Towards Ukraine**
**Interviewer:** Bryan, thank you for joining us today. You’ve been a key voice in Republican circles for years. In your recent comments, you indicated that if President Zelenskyy insists on reclaiming Crimea as a precondition for peace, he’s essentially not being serious about negotiations. Can you elaborate on that?
**Bryan Lanza:** Absolutely. The reality is that Crimea, from a strategic standpoint, seems lost to Ukraine at this moment. If President Zelenskyy approaches the peace talks with the mindset that regaining Crimea is essential, it demonstrates a lack of pragmatism. Peace cannot be achieved if unrealistic demands are at the forefront.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned a focus on “peace and stopping the killing”. How do you reconcile this stance with the historical significance of Crimea to Ukraine and its people?
**Bryan Lanza:** I completely understand that Crimea holds deep historical and emotional significance for Ukrainians. However, if the goal is a ceasefire and an end to violence, we must be realistic about what can be achieved in the current geopolitical landscape. We can’t risk American lives over a territory that may not be recoverable in the near future.
**Interviewer:** That perspective could raise eyebrows among many Ukrainians and their supporters who believe that giving up on Crimea could set a dangerous precedent. What would you say to them?
**Bryan Lanza:** It’s a tough conversation, but we have to prioritize saving lives and fostering stability. If the focus becomes reclaiming every inch of territory, we may prolong conflict unnecessarily. It’s about finding middle ground where both sides can at least take a step towards peace.
**Interviewer:** Interesting take. Lastly, with these dynamics in play, how do you perceive the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations under the incoming Trump administration?
**Bryan Lanza:** The aim will be to ensure that Ukraine has the support it needs for defense yet is encouraged to seek practical solutions for peace. There might be a shift in approach, with less focus on territorial reclamation and more on stabilizing the situation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Bryan. It certainly raises thought-provoking points about the balance between national pride and pragmatic peace negotiations. Now, what do you think? Should Ukraine prioritize reclaiming Crimea, or should they focus on immediate peace and security? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments below.
