US Army Secretary Driscoll meets Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi over Ukraine peace deal

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held talks with a Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi on Monday, a U.S. official told Reuters — marking the latest diplomatic effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

The meeting followed recent discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials aimed at narrowing divisions over Washington’s latest peace proposal, after Kyiv and several European allies criticized earlier drafts as overly favorable to Moscow.

According to the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Driscoll’s discussions in Abu Dhabi will continue into Tuesday. It remains unclear who is representing Russia in the talks. Driscoll is also expected to meet Ukrainian officials during his visit.

The White House has not yet commented on the meeting.

U.S. policy on the Ukraine conflict has shifted repeatedly in recent months. Trump’s improvised summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August triggered concern among Western allies that Washington might bend to Moscow’s demands — though it ultimately led to increased U.S. pressure on Russia.

Tensions rose again when a new 28-point U.S. peace proposal surfaced, catching officials in Washington, Kyiv, and Europe off guard. Critics feared the plan could push Ukraine toward accepting terms long deemed unacceptable, including ceding additional territory, limiting its military capabilities, and permanently abandoning any path to NATO membership — conditions Kyiv has described as equivalent to capitulation.

The diplomatic maneuvering comes at a precarious moment for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is facing political vulnerability at home following a corruption scandal that led to the dismissal of two ministers, and as Russian forces make gains on the battlefield.