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The political endeavor to conclude the war in Ukraine might be facing a "critical week," the European Union's lead foreign affairs official has remarked, as a representative for former President Donald Trump gears up to meet Vladimir Putin following recent talks with Ukrainian officials.

Envoy Amid Questionable Ties with Russia Set for Meeting

Steve Witkoff, the property developer now serving as negotiator, is set to confer with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin stated. Witkoff was recently exposed for coaching Russian officials on how to win Trump's support.

"This may be a pivotal week for negotiations," stated the EU's top diplomat, while stressing it was "evident that Russia does not want peace."

Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Push for Backing

Meanwhile, Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy began a mission to mobilize support from Ukraine's European friends. He held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to discuss "the terms of a equitable and sustainable peace," as stated by.

The Ukrainian leader is furthermore expected to make his initial diplomatic trip to Ireland on Tuesday. Concurrently, his defence minister, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for discussions with his EU colleagues.

Concern over American Talks

The EU official voiced concern that Europeans were not included in weekend talks held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she described as "difficult but productive." When asked about trusting the US to secure a good resolution for Ukraine, she said, "Ukrainians are there by themselves. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would undoubtedly be much stronger."

Writing on the platform X, Zelenskyy stated the US talks had been "very constructive" but that there were "some tough issues that still have to be addressed."

Anxiety over US Proposals

European leaders were previously concerned by a US plan that emerged last month, which was seen as skewed in Russia's favor. Its reported terms included granting Moscow territories in eastern Ukraine it did not yet control, forcing Kyiv to limit the size of its army, and renouncing its bid to join NATO. While that initial plan has reportedly been modified, Witkoff's forthcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is likely to increase unease in Kyiv and across European capitals.

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

Weekend Talks and Political Strain

The two trusted Trump envoys took part in the weekend discussions between senior Ukrainian and US officials, which were held at a exclusive golf club developed by Witkoff's company.

After the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced hope for an end to the war. "More work to be done. This is sensitive," Rubio stated. "We have a lot of complexities, and obviously there's another party involved here... that will have to be a part of the solution."

Adding to the diplomatic challenges, President Zelenskyy is under internal pressure following the abrupt resignation of his chief of staff and top aide, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in the wake of a expanding corruption investigation that has become the biggest crisis of Zelenskyy's time in office.