WASHINGTON – A key U.S. negotiator, Dan Driscoll, is preparing for a series of challenging talks with ukrainian and Russian officials, potentially delivering unwelcome messages as former President Donald Trump seeks a swift resolution to the conflict. Driscoll’s mission centers on conveying the realities of Trump’s evolving peace plan, wich faces skepticism from both sides and notably from Ukraine, which fears being pressured into unfavorable concessions.The assignment places Driscoll at the center of a complex geopolitical situation. Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to end the war quickly, potentially through a negotiated ceasefire. However, Russia continues to pursue maximalist demands, while a broad coalition supporting Ukraine remains committed to resisting Russian aggression. Driscoll’s role is to navigate these conflicting positions and communicate the constraints of Trump’s approach, a task likely to involve delivering challenging truths to both Kyiv and Moscow.Sources indicate Driscoll is preparing for intensive weeks of diplomacy, with potential travel to both capitals. He must contend with a Russia unwilling to compromise and a Ukrainian government persistent to defend its sovereignty. The negotiator may have to deliver unfavorable news to one or both parties regarding the feasibility of their respective goals under the proposed framework.
European leaders are already expressing doubts about the viability of Trump’s plan, with concerns that Russian president Vladimir Putin will not agree to any new draft proposals. Military analysts also suggest that Russia’s advances in eastern Ukraine may be slower than Kremlin claims, further complicating the negotiating landscape. The situation raises questions about whether Trump’s approach could mirror the perceived failures of the Treaty of Versailles, potentially creating a fragile peace susceptible to future conflict.