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Spymaster | United Kingdom
'Not an ordinary Special Adviser': Jonathan Powell, the veteran negotiator at the centre of Ukraine ceasefire plan

By Michael Sweeney

Published on 21.03.2025 at 05:00 GMT Reading time 5 min

The Ukrainian President's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak (right) and the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Powell, in Kyiv on 8 March 2025. © Official website of the President of Ukraine/Montage: Indigo Publications

Arch-strategist Powell has got his wish and been thrust into the heart of peace negotiations. But the UK national security adviser's recent work makes him an ambiguous figure for the Trump administration, the main intermediary in the talks. He also has problems to address back in Westminster.

For three years Jonathan Powell has been mentally placing himself at the centre of Ukraine peace negotiations. Using all his experience and his brain trust of colleagues at Inter-Mediate, his conflict resolution charity, Powell has been imagining what he would do, thinking forward the dialogues and pitching solutions in the UK press. Finally, his moment

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Spymaster | United Kingdom
'Not an ordinary Special Adviser': Jonathan Powell, the veteran negotiator at the centre of Ukraine ceasefire plan

Arch-strategist Powell has got his wish and been thrust into the heart of peace negotiations. But the UK national security adviser's recent work makes him an ambiguous figure for the Trump administration, the main intermediary in the talks. He also has problems to address back in Westminster.

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Spymaster | United Kingdom 'Not an ordinary Special Adviser': Jonathan Powell, the veteran negotiator at the centre of Ukraine ceasefire plan

Arch-strategist Powell has got his wish and been thrust into the heart of peace negotiations. But the UK national security adviser's recent work makes him an ambiguous figure for the Trump administration, the main intermediary in the talks. He also has problems to address back in Westminster.

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Related topics to this article

Read also

Germany Berlin tours Europe for tips to bolster intelligence capabilities

Spy Way of Life | Switzerland Geneva's InterContinental Hotel, the setting for tense US-European talks on Ukraine

United Kingdom Ex-army head General Sir Patrick Sanders's booming private sector career

Ukraine Zelensky's right-hand man comes to Paris to meet Rubio and Witkoff

Spotlight | United States With USAID out of action, Washington reviews its strategy for countering foreign influence

Ukraine Zelensky preparing last-ditch trip to Washington

Spotlight | Europe, Russia, United States Trump-Putin talks: Kyiv and allies betting on US envoy's adviser Ludovic Hood

United Kingdom Jonathan Powell's private diplomacy firm Inter-Mediate reorganises after his nomination as national security adviser

Spotlight | European Union, United States US steps up intelligence sharing with EU as spectre of Trump re-election looms

Mauritius, United Kingdom, United States McLarty Inbound making Mauritius's claim for control of 'vital' military base

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ParisLe Floch's arrival helps Risk & Co further accentuate its shift towards cyber.

LondonThales adviser Lord Nick Houghton questions AUKUS in the House of Lords.

LondonGilles de Kerchove begins his reconversion at Inter-Mediate.

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spymaster | United Kingdom
'Not an ordinary Special Adviser': Jonathan Powell, the veteran negotiator at the centre of Ukraine ceasefire plan

Germany
Berlin tours Europe for tips to bolster intelligence capabilities

Spy Way of Life | Switzerland
Geneva's InterContinental Hotel, the setting for tense US-European talks on Ukraine

United Kingdom
Ex-army head General Sir Patrick Sanders's booming private sector career

Ukraine
Zelensky's right-hand man comes to Paris to meet Rubio and Witkoff

Spotlight | United States
With USAID out of action, Washington reviews its strategy for countering foreign influence

Ukraine
Zelensky preparing last-ditch trip to Washington

Spotlight | Europe, Russia, United States
Trump-Putin talks: Kyiv and allies betting on US envoy's adviser Ludovic Hood

United Kingdom
Jonathan Powell's private diplomacy firm Inter-Mediate reorganises after his nomination as national security adviser

Spotlight | European Union, United States
US steps up intelligence sharing with EU as spectre of Trump re-election looms

Mauritius, United Kingdom, United States
McLarty Inbound making Mauritius's claim for control of 'vital' military base

Spotlight | United Kingdom
Top UK commando veterans beat path to private security sector

Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Private diplomats position themselves for mediation roles in Russia-Ukraine war

The Corporate Intelligence Gazette
Risk&Co, Inter-Mediate, Thales