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The diplomatic push to conclude the war in Ukraine might be facing a "critical week," the EU's foreign policy chief has stated, as a delegate for ex-leader Donald Trump gets ready to confer with Vladimir Putin following weekend talks with Ukrainian representatives.

Envoy Amid Controversial Links with Moscow Set for Talks

Steve Witkoff, the real estate magnate now serving as negotiator, is scheduled to confer with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, as announced by. Witkoff was recently revealed for advising Russian representatives on how to win Trump's support.

"It could be a pivotal week for diplomacy," remarked the EU's lead official, while emphasizing it was "obvious that Russia does not want peace."

Zelenskyy's European Push for Support

Meanwhile, Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy began a mission to secure support from Ukraine's European partners. He conferred with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to talk over "the foundations of a fair and lasting peace," as stated by.

The Ukrainian leader is furthermore expected to make his first official visit to Ireland on Tuesday. Concurrently, his defence minister, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for talks with his EU colleagues.

Frustration over American Negotiations

The EU diplomat shared unease that Europeans were not included in weekend talks held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she described as "challenging yet fruitful." When asked about having faith in the US to find a positive resolution for Ukraine, she commented, "Ukraine's representatives are there by themselves. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would certainly be far more powerful."

Writing on the platform X, Zelenskyy noted the US talks had been "extremely useful" but that there were "a number of challenging issues that still have to be resolved."

Anxiety over American Proposals

European leaders were previously worried by a US plan that emerged last month, which was heavily tilted in Russia's favor. Its reported terms included ceding Moscow territories in eastern Ukraine it did not yet control, forcing Kyiv to limit the size of its army, and renouncing its ambition to join NATO. While that initial plan has reportedly been toned down, Witkoff's forthcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is expected to heighten concern in Kyiv and throughout European capitals.

Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia on Monday, accompanied by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to proceed with negotiations. Kushner recently played an key role in talks over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin has not confirmed whether Kushner would also be present at the talks with Putin.

Weekend Discussions and Domestic Pressure

The two trusted Trump representatives took part in the Florida talks between senior Ukrainian and US delegates, which took place at a private golf club built by Witkoff's company.

After the session, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for an end to the war. "More work to be done. This is complex," Rubio said. "There are a lot of elements, and clearly there's another side involved here... that will have to be a part of the process."

Adding to the international challenges, President Zelenskyy is facing domestic pressure following the abrupt resignation of his head of cabinet and closest adviser, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in the wake of a expanding anti-corruption investigation that has become the biggest crisis of Zelenskyy's time in office.