US Army Secretary removed from Ukraine talks, says The Telegraph
Photo: Dan Driscoll, US Army Secretary (Getty Images)
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has removed US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll from participation in negotiations on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, The Telegraph reports.
Unnamed sources told the outlet that Driscoll was sidelined after the US Secretary of War decided he was overstepping his brief.
"He was seen to be exerting himself a bit too much, and he had his hand slapped," one informed source told The Telegraph.
European diplomats described Driscoll as an official with little interest in compromises favorable to Ukraine, and noted that he conducted negotiations in a tough, rigid manner.
Driscoll was scheduled to visit Kyiv a second time two weeks ago, but the trip did not happen. Ukraine had also been informed that the US Army Secretary would attend talks in Paris between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, but he did not go there either.
"Our delegation was surprised," an unnamed Ukrainian official said, suggesting that Driscoll "had not been allowed to come."
Ukrainian and European officials believe his absence is part of a broader struggle for influence over the peace negotiations.
The Telegraph reports that Driscoll is considered "part of an anti-interventionist MAGA group of delegates" led by US Vice President JD Vance.
Anna Kelly, deputy White House press secretary, declined to confirm these claims. She only stated that Driscoll "has been very helpful gathering feedback from the Ukrainians in order to craft a deal."
Driscoll’s visit to Kyiv
At the end of November, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll visited Kyiv to present the US peace plan for ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
According to NBC News, during his visit, Driscoll warned Ukrainian officials that Russia could wage an endless war, and over time, the situation for Ukraine would only worsen.
He argued that, for this reason, it would be better to sign a peace agreement now.
The Guardian, citing sources, also reported that US President Donald Trump appointed Driscoll as a special envoy to promote the peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
More details on Dan Driscoll can be found in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
