The peace endeavor to halt the war in Ukraine may be approaching a "decisive week," the EU's top diplomat has remarked, as a representative for former President Donald Trump gears up to confer with Vladimir Putin after weekend talks with Ukrainian leaders.
Representative Amid Controversial Ties with Russia Scheduled for Meeting
Steve Witkoff, the real estate magnate now serving as envoy, is due to hold talks with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin stated. Witkoff was in recent reports revealed for instructing Russian representatives on methods to secure Trump's support.
"It could be a critical week for diplomacy," said the EU's top diplomat, while emphasizing it was "clear that Russia does not want peace."
Ukrainian Leader's Diplomatic Push for Support
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy undertook a mission to rally support from Ukraine's European partners. He conferred with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to discuss "the foundations of a just and durable peace," the Élysée Palace reported.
The Ukrainian leader is additionally scheduled to make his initial diplomatic trip to Ireland on Tuesday. Simultaneously, his defense chief, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for discussions with his EU counterparts.
Frustration over US-Led Talks
The EU diplomat shared unease that Europeans were not included in recent negotiations 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 favorable resolution for Ukraine, she noted, "Ukraine's representatives are there by themselves. If they were together with the Europeans, they would undoubtedly be much stronger."
Writing on social media, Zelenskyy noted the US talks had been "highly productive" but that there were "several difficult issues that remain to be addressed."
Worry over American Peace Plan
European leaders were previously alarmed by a US proposal that surfaced last month, which was weighted in Russia's interest. Its reported terms included ceding Moscow territories in eastern Ukraine it did not yet control, requiring Kyiv to limit the size of its army, and abandoning its bid to join NATO. While that initial plan has reportedly been toned down, Witkoff's upcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is likely to heighten concern in Kyiv and throughout European governments.
Witkoff is set to travel to Russia on Monday, with Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to continue peace talks. Kushner previously played an active role in talks over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin has not confirmed whether Kushner would also attend the talks with Putin.
Florida Talks and Political Pressure
The two trusted Trump representatives took part in the Florida talks between senior Ukrainian and US delegates, which were held at a exclusive golf club developed by Witkoff's company.
After the session, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced optimism for an end to the war. "There's more work to be done. This is complex," Rubio said. "There are a lot of elements, and clearly there's another party involved here... that will have to be a part of the solution."
Amid the international pressure, President Zelenskyy is facing internal strain following the unexpected resignation of his head of cabinet and top aide, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in response to a widening anti-corruption investigation that has become the most serious scandal of Zelenskyy's time in office.
