The incoming administration of 2024 United States presidential election winner Donald Trump would focus on ending the war in Ukraine and not necessarily on restoring the country’s territorial integrity, a senior advisor to the Republican leader has remarked. British news broadcaster quoted Republican strategist Bryan Lanza as saying that they would press Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky for a “realistic vision” for a potential peace deal.
Then Lanza suggested that if Zelensky demanded Crimea back, it would show his non-seriousness. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 following a prolonged period of tension. Moscow invaded the eastern European nation in 2022 and continues to occupy parts of the territory to date.
“And if President Zelensky comes to the table and says, well we can only have peace if we have Crimea, he shows to us that he’s not serious,” Lanza said.
The Republican strategist made it clear taking Crimea back from Russia was not ‘realistic’ and not a part of the Trump administration’s peace plan.
“When 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,” he told the BBC.
He also warned Zelensky he would be “on his own” if he failed to listen to America’s advice and expect the US military to come to his aid.
“And if that is your priority of getting Crimea back and having American soldiers fight to get Crimea back, you’re on your own.”
Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine, as described by Lanza, directly contradicts Zelensky’s ‘victory plan’ unveiled last month which ruled out ceding any territory to Russia.
Trump spoke to Zelensky after his election victory, with reports claiming X owner and US billionaire Elon Musk also joined the call.
Meanwhile, Russian leader Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump on his victory, praising his claim to end the Russia-Ukraine war in ‘one day’ and saying his plan “deserves attention at least”.
(With inputs from agencies)