Trump envoy pushed Europe to help force Ukraine into US-Russia’s deal recognizing Moscow control of allegedly disputed cities

Trump’s ongoing push for Ukraine's fast peace deal with Russia has triggered anger among European and Ukrainian officials, according to FT. The report describes how US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll pressed diplomats in Kyiv with warnings that Ukraine’s conditions would only worsen if it resisted the current US-Russia draft plan. Driscoll visited Kyiv on 20 November.

A top European official said Driscoll used rhetoric that suggested Ukraine would have to accept Russian control over what he called “disputed” cities, while European diplomats demanded clarity on how Trump’s envoys viewed accountability for Russia’s war crimes.

Driscoll’s role in Trump’s peace effort

Trump tasked Driscoll with presenting a 28-point peace plan, crafted in conjunction with Moscow, to Kyiv. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined him in Geneva, where Ukrainians and Europeans pushed the plan down to 19 points with more Kyiv input. FT says Driscoll then flew to Abu Dhabi to meet a Russian delegation before Trump ordered him back to Kyiv, while special envoy Steve Witkoff headed to Moscow, potentially joined by Jared Kushner.

White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told FT that Trump “appreciates” Driscoll’s efforts to gather views from both sides. Another US official told FT the chance to discuss a peace plan appeared “out of convenience”.

Rising pressure on Kyiv and Europe

According to FT, European officials in Kyiv asked Driscoll whether Washington saw Russian war crimes accountability as essential. FT says he deflected their questions, angering them further. FT quotes a former senior defense official who said Driscoll often shifts political positions easily, while another European official called his tone with western diplomats “nauseating”.

FT says that Driscoll echoed US Vice-President JD Vance, saying:

“There are cities, locations under dispute that will be in Russian hands, it is just a matter of time. If we do not recognize that, then the decision to fight must weigh: how many lives are you willing to sacrifice? The deal does not get better from here, it gets worse.”

Kyiv unrest over Trump’s pressure

The New York Times earlier reported that Driscoll used Russia’s growing threat to “sell” a quick peace deal that would harm Ukraine. Ukrainian first deputy foreign minister Serhii Kyslytsya told FT that Driscoll acted energetic and willing to listen, but FT notes that Kyiv’s talks with him remained difficult.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the US Oksana Stefanishyna said earlier after the Geneva round that negotiators removed a point on amnesty for both Russia and Ukraine from the peace draft.