Top US army officials in Ukraine in attempt to revive peace talks, Politico reports
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The visit to Kyiv comes as Russian forces make gradual advances along parts of the front line and step up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Two top US Army officials have made a rare wartime visit to Kyiv by the Trump administration, arriving on an unannounced trip for talks with Ukraine’s leaders in an attempt to revive stalled peace talks with Russia, Politico reported on Nov 19.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and army chief of staff Randy George are due to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky, senior commanders and lawmakers, Politico said, citing people familiar with the planning.
Mr Driscoll is also expected to meet Russian officials at a later date, the Wall Street Journal reported separately, citing sources.
There was no immediate comment from the White House or the Pentagon.
The Trump administration has been secretly formulating a new plan to end the war in Ukraine in consultation with Russia, Axios reported on Nov 18, citing US and Russian officials.
The Wall Street Journal said the White House turned to Mr Driscoll and senior commanders partly on hopes Moscow might respond better to military intermediaries and out of frustration with earlier, largely fruitless, efforts.
The visit to Kyiv comes as Russian forces make gradual advances along parts of the front line and step up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, while Kyiv’s Western allies look for new ways to sustain weapons and ammunition supplies.
Polish and allied aircraft were deployed early on Nov 19 to ensure the safety of Polish airspace after Russia launched air strikes targeting western Ukraine near the border with Poland, armed forces of the Nato-member country said.
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, visits to Kyiv by senior figures from his administration have been rare, with most contacts held in third countries or by video, making Mr Driscoll and General George’s visit highly unusual.
Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky have already met several times in 2025, including a contentious Oval Office encounter in February, a brief one-on-one at the Vatican in April, talks at a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit in June and an August summit in Washington on possible security guarantees for Ukraine.
On Nov 18, Mr Zelensky said that he planned to go to Turkey on Nov 19
The talks in Kyiv by the US army officers are expected to cover Ukraine’s battlefield needs and broader strategy, including efforts to revive a stalled peace process with Moscow, Politico reported.
Mr Trump has repeatedly promised to bring the war to a rapid close
