The diplomatic endeavor to halt the fighting in Ukraine could be entering a "critical week," the European Union's top diplomat has stated, as a delegate for former President Donald Trump gears up to hold talks with Vladimir Putin after recent discussions with Ukrainian representatives.
Representative Amid Controversial Ties with Russia Scheduled for Talks
Steve Witkoff, the real estate magnate turned negotiator, is due 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 support.
"It could be a pivotal week for negotiations," stated the EU's lead official, while emphasizing it was "clear that Russia does not want peace."
Zelenskyy's European Push for Backing
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy undertook a mission to mobilize support from Ukraine's European partners. He conferred with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to talk over "the terms of a equitable and sustainable peace," the Élysée Palace reported.
The Ukrainian leader is also set to make his first official visit to Ireland on Tuesday. Concurrently, his defense chief, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for talks with his EU counterparts.
Frustration over US-Led Negotiations
The EU official expressed frustration that Europeans were not included in recent negotiations held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she characterized as "difficult but productive." In response to a question about trusting the US to secure a positive resolution for Ukraine, she commented, "Ukraine's representatives are there by themselves. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would definitely be far more powerful."
Writing on social media, Zelenskyy said the US talks had been "extremely useful" but that there were "some tough issues that remain to be worked through."
Worry over US Peace Plan
European leaders were earlier worried 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 did not yet control, requiring 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 upcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is expected to heighten unease in Kyiv and throughout European governments.
Witkoff is expected to fly to Russia on Monday, accompanied by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to proceed with discussions. Kushner previously played an prominent role in talks over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin did not specify whether Kushner would too attend the talks with Putin.
Florida Talks and Political Pressure
The two close Trump envoys took part in the Florida talks between senior Ukrainian and US officials, which occurred at a exclusive 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 solution."
Adding to the international pressure, President Zelenskyy is under domestic strain following the sudden resignation of his chief of staff and top aide, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in the wake of a widening anti-corruption investigation that has become the biggest crisis of Zelenskyy's time in office.
