A top advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump has advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to focus on negotiating peace with Russia rather than aiming for a military victory. Republican strategist Bryan Lanza made strong remarks about Ukraine’s position on Crimea, saying, “Crimea is gone.” He emphasized that peace talks should begin with realistic expectations to stop the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky Urged to Adopt a Realistic Peace Vision
Bryan Lanza, a senior Republican strategist, spoke about the importance of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. In an interview with the BBC, Lanza stated that the U.S. does not support the idea of reclaiming Crimea through military force. He explained, “When Zelensky says we will only have peace once Crimea is returned, we’ve got news: Crimea is gone.”
Lanza added that if Ukraine’s primary goal is to regain Crimea, it would have to do so without American military help. Although the U.S. has supported Ukraine with military aid and weapons, it has not deployed soldiers to fight in the war, nor has Ukraine requested American troops.
Praise for Ukraine’s Strength
Despite his tough stance, Lanza expressed admiration for the Ukrainian people, describing them as having “hearts of lions.” He acknowledged their bravery and determination in the face of the ongoing conflict but maintained that the priority should be to end the bloodshed.
The Role of the U.S. in Peace Talks
Lanza clarified that the U.S. aims to prioritize peace over winning the war. He said, “It’s not a vision for winning but a vision for peace.” He stressed the importance of having an honest conversation about achievable goals and urged Ukraine to create a realistic roadmap for ending the war.
Conversation Between Trump and Zelensky
Following Donald Trump’s recent election victory, he had a phone call with President Zelensky. Billionaire Elon Musk also joined the discussion. According to a source in Zelensky’s office, the conversation was “warm and pleasant” but did not delve into any major policy matters. The discussion lasted about half an hour, focusing on fostering a positive relationship between the two leaders.
FAQs
1. What did Bryan Lanza say about Crimea?
Lanza stated that Crimea is “gone” and is not up for negotiation, emphasizing that the U.S. will not support Ukraine in reclaiming it militarily.
2. What was Lanza’s advice to Zelensky?
Lanza urged Zelensky to focus on achieving a “realistic vision for peace” instead of aiming for military victory.
3. Does the U.S. have troops in Ukraine?
No, the U.S. has never sent troops to fight in Ukraine. However, it provides military aid to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
4. How did Lanza describe the Ukrainian people?
He praised them as having “hearts of lions” for their courage and resilience during the war.
5. What happened during Trump and Zelensky’s phone call?
The call was described as warm and positive, lasting about 30 minutes, with Elon Musk also participating. The conversation mainly focused on strengthening ties.
