U.S. Army Secretary Meets Russian Officials in Abu Dhabi Amid Peace Negotiations
Diplomatic Meetings Aim to Accelerate Peace Process
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is currently in Abu Dhabi, engaging in discussions with Russian officials, according to two U.S. officials and two diplomatic sources, who requested anonymity. “Secretary Driscoll met with members of the Russian delegation [Monday night] for several hours. He is scheduled to continue these discussions throughout [Tuesday] to advance the peace negotiations,” a U.S. official informed CBS News. The specifics of the U.S. delegation accompanying Driscoll remain unclear.
Context of the Meetings: The Russia-Ukraine War
These meetings come against the backdrop of heightened efforts by President Trump to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing four-year-long Russia-Ukraine conflict, with U.S. representatives simultaneously conversing with envoys from both nations. Over the weekend, Driscoll, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Mr. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and diplomats from Ukraine and European allies convened in Geneva, Switzerland.
Driscoll’s discussions with Russian officials are particularly notable following his recent visit to Ukraine’s capital. However, the extent to which both sides are progressing towards an agreement remains uncertain.
Peace Proposal Details and Reactions
A draft proposal linked to the Trump administration has emerged in recent discussions, featuring several stipulations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected. These provisions include territorial concessions by Ukraine and the cessation of its NATO membership aspirations. In response to these developments, a coalition of NATO members and other U.S. allies released a statement on Saturday describing the proposal as “a basis which will require additional work.”
The White House confirmed on Sunday evening that U.S. and Ukrainian officials have “drafted an updated and refined peace framework” in the wake of the Geneva talks. President Trump has reportedly urged Zelenskyy to secure a deal by Thanksgiving, although Rubio characterized that timeline as flexible during remarks made on Sunday.