The diplomatic effort to end the conflict in Ukraine could be entering a "critical week," the EU's lead foreign affairs official has stated, as a special envoy for former President Donald Trump gets ready to confer with Vladimir Putin following weekend discussions with Ukrainian officials.
Envoy with Controversial Ties with Moscow Set for Meeting
Steve Witkoff, the businessman now serving as peace envoy, is set to meet with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, according to. Witkoff was recently revealed for advising Russian officials on methods to secure Trump's support.
"We are entering a decisive week for negotiations," said the EU's top diplomat, while stressing it was "evident that Russia does not want peace."
Ukrainian Leader's European Push for Backing
Meanwhile, Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy undertook a tour to rally support from Ukraine's European partners. He met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to talk over "the terms of a just and durable peace," the Élysée Palace reported.
The Ukrainian leader is additionally expected to make his initial diplomatic trip to Ireland on Tuesday. Concurrently, his defence minister, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for meetings with his EU colleagues.
Concern over US-Led Talks
The EU diplomat shared concern that Europeans were not included in recent negotiations held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she characterized as "difficult but productive." When asked about trusting the US to secure a favorable solution for Ukraine, she commented, "Ukraine's representatives are there by themselves. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would undoubtedly be far more powerful."
Writing on social media, Zelenskyy stated the US talks had been "highly productive" but that there were "some tough issues that must still be worked through."
Anxiety over American Peace Plan
European leaders were previously concerned by a US plan that surfaced last month, which was seen as skewed in Russia's interest. Its reported terms included granting Moscow territories in eastern Ukraine it does not yet control, requiring Kyiv to cap the size of its army, and abandoning its ambition to join NATO. While that original plan has reportedly been scaled back, Witkoff's forthcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is expected to increase unease in Kyiv and across European capitals.
Witkoff is expected to fly to Russia on Monday, alongside Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to continue negotiations. Kushner recently played an key role in negotiations over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin did not specify whether Kushner would also be present at the talks with Putin.
Weekend Talks and Domestic Pressure
The two close Trump envoys took part in the Florida discussions between senior Ukrainian and US delegates, which were held at a private golf club developed by Witkoff's company.
After the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced optimism for an end to the war. "More work to be done. This is sensitive," Rubio stated. "We have a lot of elements, and clearly there's another side involved here... that will have to be a part of the equation."
Amid the diplomatic pressure, President Zelenskyy is under internal strain following the sudden resignation of his head of cabinet and top aide, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in the wake of a expanding corruption investigation that has become the most serious scandal of Zelenskyy's time in office.
