A bearer of bad news, an enforcer of clear orders, a tough negotiator unfamiliar with the historical context of Ukrainian-Russian relations, but who at the same time could give new impetus to peace talks. That is how Ukrainian observers describing US Army Secretary Daniel Patrick Driscoll, who is expected to become US President Donald Trump's next special envoy to Ukraine, as General Keith Kellogg is due to step down from this position in early 2026.

Driscoll is reportedly due to be returning to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for the second time in a week to negotiate the peace plan proposed by the US. On Tuesday, Trump announced: "In the hopes of finalizing this peace plan, I have directed my special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians. I will be briefed on all progress made."

There are several bones of contention in the plan, including the question of whether and to what extent Ukraine should cede territories to Russia, and whether the state should be permanently barred from NATO membership.

What should Ukrainian negotiators be prepared for?

According to media reports, Driscoll tried to intimidate his Ukrainian interlocutors by issuing threats that allegedly originated from Russia during his first visit on November 20. According to the US broadcaster NBC, he told Ukrainian representatives that their forces on the battlefield would "suffer an imminent defeat."

He also apparently said that Russia was ramping up the scale of its airstrikes and had the ability to fight on indefinitely. He told the Ukrainians that since the situation would only get worse, it would be better for Ukraine to negotiate a peace settement now. According to media reports, European diplomats were also present to witness the presentation of the plan. 

"People who have met him — especially Europeans — report that Driscoll blackmails, issues ultimatums, and is difficult to approach," said Ivan Us of Ukraine's National Institute for Strategic Studies. "The talks about a peace plan show that he only does what Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, want. If he is told a peace plan must be implemented, he will simply do it."

Us said that Driscoll came across as someone who has no sympathy for Ukraine, and was determined to push the Ukrainians to make the decisions his leadership needs. "He doesn't want to deviate from his leadership's line. Therefore, one should not expect him to take any initiatives of his own," Us told DW.

"Driscoll has a reputation for being a bulldozer," said another DW source, who did not wish to be named. "Though that's not entirely true because he was open to discussion and comments and agreed to changes where they made absolute sense."

"He is very results-oriented. But he is clearly Vice President JD Vance's man, and the connection to him is apparently very close," the source added.

Power struggles in Trump's inner circle

It is well known that Driscoll and Vance have been friends since attending Yale Law School together. "The power struggle in Trump's circle is intensifying with regard to future elections," said DW's source. "Whoever achieves the best result in negotiating a peace agreement in Ukraine will be able to pin this to their lapel as a badge of honor. And in doing so, they will significantly alter the balance of power within the team."

However, Ukrainian observers believe Driscoll and other US officials involved in the peace talks lack a historical understanding of the colonialist nature of Russia's war against Ukraine. They said that most hoped to resolve the conflict through economic pressure, but this did not always work.

Despite these misgivings, observers in Ukraine also expected Driscoll to give new impetus to the peace process.

"Driscoll is continuing Trump's tradition of having the military deal with the Ukraine issue," said Oleksandr Kraiev of Prism Ua, an independent Ukrainian think tank. "On the one hand, that's good because it's a military matter," he said, though he added that Driscoll was a far cry from his predecessor Keith Kellogg, "both in terms of his views and powers, and in terms of his position."

"That's not an ideal solution for Ukraine," said Kraiev. "Driscoll is inexperienced in diplomatic matters; he's a bureaucrat who wants to advance his career."

This weekend, Driscoll is expected to discuss the peace plan with Ukrainian leaders. Experts believe that he will continue to urge Ukraine to accept the US plan.

Kraiev argues that after Driscoll's visit to Kyiv, the peace plan would have to be discussed and then given final approval by the presidents of the US and Ukraine. "Driscoll is just another special envoy, another person with very vague and unclear powers dealing with issues that are toxic for Donald Trump," he said. "In the end, however, Trump alone will decide on all issues concerning Ukraine."

This article was originally written in Ukrainian.