One of Donald Trump’s special advisers has declared that “Crimea is gone,” in a clear indication of the incoming administration’s priority on achieving peace over reclaiming lost Ukrainian territory.
Bryan Lanza, a strategist for the Republican Party, said the President-Elect would ask Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to present a “realistic vision for peace” a decade on from the Russian annexation of the strategically important peninsula.
Mr Volodymyr Zelensky is keen to regain Crimea for both strategic and symbolic reasons, which aligns with his vision for a secure, sovereign Ukraine.
Conversely, relinquishing it would challenge Zelensky’s political standing and could impact Ukraine‘s morale as it continues to resist Russian advances in other occupied territories.
However, Mr Lanza warned: “If President Zelensky comes to the table and says we can only have peace if we recover Crimea, he’s showing us that he’s not serious.”
Voicing admiration for the resilience of Ukrainians, whom he described as “having the hearts of lions”, Mr Lanza nevertheless reiterated that America’s primary objective is to secure peace and halt the bloodshed.
He told the BBC World Service’s Weekend: “What we’ll be asking Ukraine is: what do you envision as a realistic path to peace?
“This is not about winning but about finding peace. It’s time to have an honest conversation.
“When Zelensky says there will only be peace once Crimea is returned, we have news for him: Crimea is gone.
“If your priority is to get Crimea back with American soldiers fighting for it, you’re on your own.”
He also pointed the finger at the outgoing Biden-Harris administration and European allies to Ukraine, saying: “The reality is that Europe and President Biden didn’t provide Ukraine with the arms it needed to win early on, nor did they lift the restrictions that could have allowed for a Ukrainian victory.”
Russia seized Crimean in 2014, and after 2022’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it now occupies significant areas in the eastern regions.
Since his election win, Mr Trump has already spoken to Mr Zelensky. The two leaders had a call on Wednesday, which also included billionaire Elon Musk.
A source from Ukraine’s presidential office said: “It was a brief chat with Musk, but Trump and Zelensky had a good, long conversation that lasted around half an hour.
“It wasn’t a discussion of substantial matters, but it was warm and positive.”
Mr Trump has consistently emphasised his focus on ending the war and reducing the strain on US resources. Democratic opponents, however, have accused him of appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that his approach would mean surrender for Ukraine and increase risk across Europe.
In October, Zelensky presented a “victory plan” to the Ukrainian parliament, which included a firm stance against ceding any of Ukraine’s territory or sovereignty. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly claimed he could end the war “in a day,” though he provided few specifics.
In May, two former US national security chiefs wrote a paper arguing that America should continue providing military support to Ukraine, but that aid should be conditional on Ukraine entering peace talks with Russia.
The paper suggested Ukraine should negotiate based on current battle lines, even if it still aims to reclaim all its territory.
Earlier this week, Putin congratulated Mr Trump on his election victory, adding that Trump’s confidence in ending the Ukraine conflict “deserves attention, at the very least.”
Earlier this year, the US House of Representatives approved a £49bn package in military aid for Ukraine to counter Russia’s invasion.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research organisation, the US has been Ukraine’s largest arms supplier, providing or committing £41.5bn in military support from February 2022 through June 2024.
Posting on X on Tuesday, with Mr Trump’s victory confirmed, Mr Zelensky said: “Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his impressive election victory!
“I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-US strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs.
“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.
“We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”