Forthcoming Days May Prove 'Decisive' in Negotiations to Halt Ukraine Conflict, EU Top Diplomat Declares

The peace push to end the fighting in Ukraine may be approaching a "critical week," the EU's lead foreign affairs official has remarked, as a delegate for ex-leader Donald Trump gears up to confer with Vladimir Putin following weekend talks with Ukrainian representatives.

Envoy with Controversial Ties with Moscow Scheduled for Talks

Steve Witkoff, the property developer now serving as envoy, is set to confer with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin stated. Witkoff was in recent reports exposed for advising Russian diplomats on methods to secure Trump's support.

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

Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Push for Support

Meanwhile, Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy embarked on a diplomatic push to rally support from Ukraine's European friends. He conferred with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to talk over "the terms of a just and durable peace," according to.

The Ukrainian leader is also set to make his initial diplomatic trip to Ireland on Tuesday. At the same time, his defence minister, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for talks with his EU equivalents.

Concern over American Negotiations

The EU official voiced unease that Europeans were not represented in weekend negotiations held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she characterized as "tough but constructive." When asked about having faith in the US to find a positive solution for Ukraine, she said, "Ukraine's representatives are there by themselves. If they were together with the Europeans, they would undoubtedly be in a better position."

Writing on the platform X, Zelenskyy said the US talks had been "highly productive" but that there were "a number of challenging issues that remain to be resolved."

Worry over US Peace Plan

European leaders were earlier concerned by a US proposal that circulated last month, which was heavily tilted in Russia's interest. Its alleged terms included ceding Moscow areas in eastern Ukraine it does not yet control, forcing Kyiv to cap the size of its army, and renouncing its goal to join NATO. While that original plan has reportedly been modified, Witkoff's forthcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth meeting with Putin—is expected to heighten anxiety in Kyiv and across European governments.

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

Weekend Discussions and Domestic Pressure

The two close Trump envoys were involved in the weekend talks between senior Ukrainian and US delegates, which took place at a exclusive golf club built by Witkoff's company.

After the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism for an end to the war. "More work to be done. This is delicate," Rubio said. "There are a lot of complexities, and obviously there's another party involved here... that will have to be a part of the process."

Adding to the international challenges, President Zelenskyy is facing internal pressure following the abrupt resignation of his head of cabinet and closest adviser, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in response to a expanding anti-corruption investigation that has become the most serious scandal of Zelenskyy's presidency.