This is reported by Kyiv24
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Army Secretary Dan Driscoll from participation in negotiations aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine. This decision was made after Driscoll reportedly exceeded his authority while working on the agreements.
Reasons for Removal and Progress of Negotiations
According to insiders, Driscoll was excluded from the peace process after his actions were deemed too independent and beyond his competence.
“It was noticed that he was a bit overloaded, and he was sidelined,” said a person close to the conflict’s outcomes.
In November, Driscoll was tasked with presenting a 28-point peace plan, developed by the Donald Trump administration, to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in hopes of reaching a compromise between Ukraine and Russia. During this mission, he was to secure the Ukrainian side’s agreement to the proposed terms, which included territorial concessions from Ukraine. However, the negotiations were tense, and Zelensky categorically rejected the proposed plan.
European diplomats involved in the dialogue characterized Driscoll as an official who was not inclined towards compromise. This negotiating style caught the attention of President Trump, who is known for his commitment to a hardline stance in negotiations.
Internal Conflicts within the US Delegation
Driscoll was expected to return to Kyiv for further consultations two weeks ago, but he did not show up. The Ukrainian side was also informed that Driscoll would be present at negotiations between Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron in Paris on December 1, but he again canceled the visit at short notice.
Representatives from Ukraine and Europe believe that Driscoll’s absence indicates an internal struggle among different power groups within the American delegation. Driscoll is considered a member of the anti-interventionist Maga group led by Vice President JD Vance. Another group, led by National Security Advisor Marco Rubio along with the Secretary of State, currently plays a key role in the negotiations and is expected to be present at the upcoming meeting in Paris involving American, European, and Ukrainian officials.
Business groups led by Steve Witkoff, Trump’s chief envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and unofficial advisor, are currently taking the lead role in the peace process. According to sources, the style and tone of the negotiations significantly change depending on which group is leading at a particular stage of the talks.
It was previously reported that Driscoll was considered one of the likely successors to Hegseth as head of the Pentagon in the event of his dismissal. Meanwhile, the White House emphasizes that “any anonymous sources claiming to have insider information about Hegseth’s role have no idea what they are talking about,” and President Trump is “extremely satisfied” with the work of the current Defense Secretary.