Washington.- Within days, the Secretary of the North American Army, Dan DriscollHe went from being the leader of the military bureaucracy to becoming… Master negotiator Efforts made by US President Donald Trump, To end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
this A veteran in Iraqyouthful appearance, A former private equity investor and friend of Vice President J.D. VanceHe went from presenting Trump’s plan to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyin Kiev to sit with Russian officials in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday to lead the final phase of talks on a possible agreement to stop the fighting.
Trump appears to believe Driscoll’s efforts are progressing well, posting on social media: “My team has made tremendous progress.”.
“In hopes of finalizing this peace plan, I have ordered my Special Envoy,” Trump wrote Tuesday on his social network Truth Social. Steve Witkoff, To meet the President (Russia, Vladimir Putin In Moscow Meanwhile, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will meet with the Ukrainians.
It’s an unusual assignment for the Army’s main civilian leaderHe took office in February at the age of 38. His Senate confirmation hearing focused on how the military could modernize its systems, improve recruiting operations and strengthen the military industrial base, not on international diplomacy.
Driscoll learned of his new role as negotiator About a week before he found himself sitting across from ZelenskyA US official said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Driscoll had always planned to visit Ukraine, but the purpose of the trip was Learn more about how your military is using drones in warNot negotiating peace.
The official explained that after the White House appointed Driscoll as its special representative, He first traveled to Europe to receive reports Before heading to Ukraine.
There, Driscoll met Zelensky and expressed his admiration for Ukrainian soldiers, saying that even the most battle-hardened American forces “They never had to defend their country.”.
“When we in the military look and see how well you are doing, it is extraordinary.”Driscoll told the president last week. The Ukrainian leader said he spoke for about an hour on Friday with Vance and Driscoll about the proposal.
Driscoll’s performance in Ukraine seems to have paid off, because from there he joined the Secretary of State. Marco RubioTo Witkopf and other high-level negotiators in Geneva to discuss changes to the plan with the Ukrainians before traveling to Abu Dhabi to negotiate with the Russians. Negotiations with Moscow were not possible until just a week agoThe official said.
Some experts say their role in the negotiations It is an unorthodox move by the Trump administration. Which may or may not work.
I think what’s useful about this administration is their willingness to put forward ideas and try thingssaid Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). But he added: “To be honest, I haven’t heard about Dan Driscoll at all in the conversations about Ukraine and Russia.”
Bergman said so Driscoll’s value lies in his relationship with the vice president. Driscoll has known Vance since his time at Yale Law School and previously served as his adviser, giving the Army secretary a direct line to the Republican administration’s small table — and more negotiating power — during the talks.
“It’s no small thing.”You have someone who might be texting the VP “So it has this political weight,” said Bergman, who held positions at the State Department during the former president’s administration. Barack Obama.
But Bergman added that there is also value in having experience, especially on an issue as sensitive as Russia’s war against Ukraine: “Details really matter here.”.
Daniel Freed, a fellow at the Atlantic Council and former US ambassador to Poland, said: Driscoll can overcome his inexperience by using mentors. In addition, the fact that management trusts him is an important asset.
“We do not want anyone to make a verbal agreement with the Ukrainians or the Russians,” he added Who does not enjoy the trust of the upper levels of the Trump administrationFred said.
Driscoll’s resume does not indicate that he will become a top American negotiator trying to end Europe’s longest war since 1945. Although she indicated certain aspirations to get involved in politics.
During his confirmation hearing, Driscoll told senators that he “joined the Army as a middle-class public school kid in the mountains of North Carolina.” Pointing out that his father was an army infantryman in Vietnam His grandfather worked as a code-breaker in the army during World War II.
“The most important thing is that I intend to be Army Minister for soldiers, not for generals or bureaucracy.”He said in his opening remarks. “It is for the American soldier charged with our national defense and prosperity.”
He studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, He graduated in three years from the College of Business Administration and graduatedaccording to a profile on the organization’s website.
Driscoll served in the Army as an armor officer for more than three years and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. He was sent to Iraq between October 2009 and July 2010..
After graduating from law school, Driscoll worked at venture capital firms. He ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary. for a North Carolina congressional seat in 2020, receiving about 8% of the vote in a crowded field of candidates.
AP Agency