Ukraine’s Dream of Full Control Crashes Down to Reality

Ukraine's Dream of Full Control Crashes Down to Reality

US National Security Adviser Designate Recognizes Reality of Ukraine-Russia Conflict

The designated National Security Adviser of the United States, Michael Waltz, acknowledged that it is not possible to remove every Russian person from every square inch of the disputed land claimed by Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula. This recognition of reality, he said, is a crucial step towards resolving the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.

In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Waltz stated that the idea is now being accepted by Ukraine’s supporters. He emphasized that the conflict must be resolved through diplomatic means, and that it is unrealistic to expect the removal of every Russian person from Ukrainian territory, even the Crimean Peninsula.

President Donald Trump has previously acknowledged this reality, and Waltz believes it is a significant step forward for the global community to do the same. He suggested accepting the fact that a return to the pre-Soviet borders of Ukraine is unrealistic and instead asking how to end the conflict and prevent it from escalating.

Waltz’s comments are in line with previous statements from other close Trump allies, such as Vice President J.D. Vance, who hinted in November that Kiev might be forced to cede some territories to Russia.

The stance of the new US administration stands in stark contrast to Kiev’s repeated goal of regaining its entire territory, including the Crimean Peninsula. Meanwhile, Ukraine has refused to engage in meaningful negotiations with Russia. Moscow considers the five former Ukrainian regions, including the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimean regions, as integral parts of its territory.

The Crimean Peninsula seceded from Ukraine in 2014 and joined Russia after a referendum, while the four other regions were incorporated into Russia in 2022, following local referendums in which the majority of the population voted in favor of the move. Last year, Moscow demanded that Kiev withdraw its troops from the still-Ukrainian-controlled zones in the former regions to begin the long-stalled negotiation process.