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The political endeavor to end the war in Ukraine could be entering a "pivotal week," the EU's top diplomat has remarked, as a special envoy for former President Donald Trump gears up to hold talks with Vladimir Putin after weekend talks with Ukrainian officials.

Envoy with Controversial Ties to Moscow Scheduled for Meeting

Steve Witkoff, the real estate magnate turned envoy, is due to confer with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin stated. Witkoff was in recent reports revealed for advising Russian officials on methods to secure Trump's support.

"This may be a decisive week for negotiations," stated the EU's lead official, but emphasizing it was "obvious that Russia is not interested in peace."

Ukrainian Leader's Diplomatic Push for Support

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy embarked on a diplomatic push to mobilize support from Ukraine's European friends. He held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to discuss "the terms of a fair and lasting peace," as stated by.

The Ukrainian leader is additionally scheduled to make his initial diplomatic trip to Ireland on Tuesday. At the same time, his defense chief, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for discussions with his EU colleagues.

Concern over US-Led Talks

The EU diplomat voiced unease that Europeans were not represented in recent talks held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she described as "challenging yet fruitful." In response to a question about having faith in the US to secure a favorable resolution 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 social media, Zelenskyy stated the US talks had been "extremely useful" but that there were "some tough issues that must still be addressed."

Anxiety over American Proposals

European leaders were previously alarmed by a US proposal that circulated last month, which was weighted in Russia's interest. 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 goal to join NATO. While that initial plan has reportedly been modified, Witkoff's upcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is expected to increase concern in Kyiv and across European capitals.

Witkoff is expected to fly to Russia on Monday, accompanied by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to advance discussions. Kushner previously played an prominent role in talks over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin did not specify whether Kushner would also attend the talks with Putin.

Florida Discussions and Domestic Pressure

The two trusted Trump envoys participated in the weekend 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 hope for an end to the war. "There's more work to be done. This is sensitive," Rubio said. "We have a lot of elements, and obviously there's another party involved here... that will have to be a part of the process."

Amid the international challenges, President Zelenskyy is facing domestic pressure following the unexpected resignation of his chief of staff and closest adviser, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in the wake of a expanding anti-corruption investigation that has become the biggest crisis of Zelenskyy's time in office.