The bearer of bad news, the enforcer of clear orders, and the stubborn negotiator who seems to not know the historical context of Ukraine-Russia relations, but at the same time is able to give new impetus to the peace talks in Ukraine.
This is how Ukrainian observers describe US Army Secretary Daniel Patrick Driscoll. He is expected to be Donald Trump’s next special envoy to Ukraine, as General Keith Kellogg is likely to leave his post in early 2026.
“No initiative should be expected” from Driscoll
Dan Driscoll travels to Kiev for the second time in a week to negotiate the peace plan presented by the United States. As Trump explained, Driscoll and the Ukrainians will work to resolve “many of the sticking points in the peace plan.” US Special Representative Steve Witkoff should also meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow at the same time. These points include the question of whether and to what extent territory should be ceded to the Russian Federation, and whether Ukraine should be permanently excluded from NATO.
What should Ukrainian negotiators expect? According to media reports, during his first visit to Kiev on November 20, Driscoll allegedly intimidated his counterparts with threats from Russia. according to NBC NewsHe told the Ukrainian representatives that their armed forces on the front lines would suffer imminent defeat. Russia can intensify its air strikes and is able to fight “indefinitely.” As for Ukraine, Driscoll said, the situation will get worse, so it is better to reach a peace deal now.
According to New York TimesEuropean diplomats also attended the plan presentation. “Those who have met him, especially the Europeans, say that Driscoll blackmails, gives ultimatums and is difficult to contact,” says Ivan Os of the Ukrainian Institute for Strategic Studies. “Talking about the peace plan shows that he is simply doing what Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance want. If they tell him that the peace plan must be implemented, he will simply do it.”
In his opinion, Driscoll gives the impression that he has no sympathy for Ukraine. Rather, he is willing to pressure his opponents to make the decisions his leadership demands. “He does not want to deviate from the line dictated by his leadership. Therefore, we should not expect any initiative of his own from him,” he told DW.
“Results-oriented, but lacking historical understanding”
A DW source who preferred to remain anonymous responded: “Driscoll has a reputation for being a hit man. But that’s not entirely true, because he was open to discussions and comments and agreed when the changes made perfect sense.” He is very results oriented. But he’s clearly Vice President J.D. Vance’s man, and he seems to have a very close relationship with him.
As is known, Driscoll and Vance have a long friendship. Both attorneys have known each other since they were students at Yale. “In Trump’s inner circle, the power struggle is escalating ahead of the next elections. Whoever achieves the best result in negotiating a peace agreement in Ukraine will be able to display it as a badge of rank. Therefore, this will significantly change the balance of power within the team.” This is Driscoll’s driving force, according to DW’s source.
However, Driscoll and other Trump administration representatives involved in the peace talks lack a historical understanding of the colonial nature of the Russian war against Ukraine. Most of them try to resolve this conflict through economic means. But observers told DW that these things do not always work.
Driscoll in Kyiv: “But in the end Trump will decide.”
“Driscoll continues Trump’s tradition of appointing a military figure to address the Ukrainian issue,” says Oleksandr Kryev of the Ukrainian think tank Prism. “On the one hand, this is positive because it is a military issue.” On the other hand, Driscoll is very far from Keith Kellogg, he adds, “both in his views and authority and in his attitude.”
Ukraine hopes that Driscoll will give new impetus to the negotiation process to reach a peaceful solution. But “this is not the ideal solution for Ukraine. Because Driscoll lacks experience in diplomatic affairs; he is a bureaucrat who wants to advance his career,” notes Crave.
This weekend, Driscoll will speak again with Ukrainian leaders about “sensitive issues” in the peace plan that were left out of the Geneva talks. Experts expect Driscoll to continue urging Ukraine to accept the plan as soon as possible.
Ultimately, after Driscoll’s visit to Kiev, the peace plan will have to be discussed and finally approved by the presidents of the United States and Ukraine, Oleksandr Karayev asserts. “Driscoll is just another special envoy, another person with very vague and confusing powers who is dealing with issues that are toxic for Donald Trump,” says the Ukrainian North American expert. “But in the end, only Trump will decide all issues related to Ukraine.”
(sh/sand)