🔗 Share this article

The political push to conclude the fighting in Ukraine could be entering a "decisive week," the European Union's lead foreign affairs official has observed, as a delegate for former President Donald Trump gets ready to hold talks with Vladimir Putin following recent discussions with Ukrainian representatives.

Representative Amid Questionable Links with Moscow Set for Talks

Steve Witkoff, the businessman now serving as negotiator, is set to meet with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, as announced by. Witkoff was recently exposed for instructing Russian representatives on ways to gain Trump's favor.

"This may be a pivotal week for peace efforts," stated the EU's foreign policy chief, while stressing it was "evident that Russia does not want peace."

Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Tour for Support

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy embarked on a mission to secure support from Ukraine's European allies. He conferred with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to discuss "the conditions of a equitable and sustainable peace," as stated by.

The Ukrainian leader is furthermore scheduled to make his inaugural state visit to Ireland on Tuesday. At the same time, his defense chief, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for talks with his EU equivalents.

Concern over US-Led Talks

The EU official expressed unease that Europeans were not represented in weekend talks held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she characterized as "difficult but productive." When asked about trusting the US to find a positive resolution for Ukraine, she noted, "Ukrainians are there by themselves. If they were together with the Europeans, they would definitely be far more powerful."

Writing on the platform X, Zelenskyy said the US talks had been "highly productive" but that there were "some tough issues that must still be resolved."

Worry over US Proposals

European leaders were earlier worried by a US framework that surfaced last month, which was heavily tilted in Russia's favor. Its alleged terms included granting Moscow regions in eastern Ukraine it did not yet control, requiring Kyiv to limit the size of its army, and abandoning its ambition to join NATO. While that initial plan has reportedly been toned down, Witkoff's forthcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth meeting with Putin—is expected to heighten concern in Kyiv and throughout European capitals.

Witkoff is due to fly to Russia on Monday, with Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to advance discussions. Kushner previously played an prominent role in negotiations over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin has not confirmed whether Kushner would too be present at the talks with Putin.

Florida Discussions and Domestic Strain

The two trusted Trump envoys participated in the Florida talks between senior Ukrainian and US officials, which occurred at a exclusive golf club developed by Witkoff's company.

After the session, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism for an end to the war. "There's more work to be done. This is complex," 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 equation."

Amid the international challenges, President Zelenskyy is facing domestic pressure following the sudden resignation of his chief of staff and top aide, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in the wake of a widening corruption investigation that has become the most serious scandal of Zelenskyy's time in office.