Approaching Days May Be 'Pivotal' for Discussions to End Ukraine Conflict, European Union Top Diplomat States

The political push to conclude the conflict in Ukraine may be approaching a "pivotal week," the EU's foreign policy chief has stated, as a delegate for former President Donald Trump gears up to confer with Vladimir Putin after recent talks with Ukrainian leaders.

Representative with Questionable Ties with Russia Scheduled for Talks

Steve Witkoff, the businessman turned 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 ways to gain Trump's backing.

"We are entering a critical week for diplomacy," stated the EU's lead official, while stressing it was "evident that Russia does not want peace."

Ukrainian Leader's European Push for Support

Meanwhile, Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy undertook a tour to rally support from Ukraine's European allies. He held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to discuss "the terms of a equitable and sustainable peace," according to.

The Ukrainian leader is furthermore 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 discussions with his EU equivalents.

Concern over US-Led Talks

The EU official expressed frustration that Europeans were not represented in weekend talks held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she characterized as "challenging yet fruitful." When asked about having faith in the US to secure a good outcome for Ukraine, she commented, "Ukraine's representatives are there by themselves. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would definitely be in a better position."

Writing on the platform X, Zelenskyy noted the US talks had been "very constructive" but that there were "several difficult issues that must still be addressed."

Anxiety over American Proposals

European leaders were previously concerned by a US plan 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 ambition to join NATO. While that initial plan has reportedly been scaled back, Witkoff's forthcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is expected to fuel anxiety in Kyiv and across European governments.

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

Weekend Discussions and Domestic Strain

The two trusted Trump envoys participated in the weekend discussions between senior Ukrainian and US delegates, which occurred at a private golf club built by Witkoff's company.

After the session, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced optimism for an end to the war. "More work to be done. This is complex," 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 equation."

Amid the diplomatic pressure, President Zelenskyy is under domestic pressure following the sudden resignation of his head of cabinet and closest adviser, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in response to a expanding corruption investigation that has become the most serious scandal of Zelenskyy's presidency.