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The peace push to conclude the fighting in Ukraine might be facing a "critical week," the EU's foreign policy chief has observed, as a representative for ex-leader Donald Trump prepares to hold talks with Vladimir Putin after weekend discussions with Ukrainian leaders.

Envoy Amid Questionable Ties to Moscow Set for Meeting

Steve Witkoff, the businessman now serving as envoy, is scheduled to meet with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, as announced by. Witkoff was recently revealed for instructing Russian representatives on how to win Trump's favor.

"It could be a critical week for peace efforts," said the EU's lead official, but stressing it was "obvious that Russia does not want peace."

Ukrainian Leader's Diplomatic Push for Support

Meanwhile, Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy embarked on a diplomatic push to mobilize support from Ukraine's European partners. He met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to talk over "the foundations of a just and durable peace," as stated by.

The Ukrainian leader is also set to make his first official visit to Ireland on Tuesday. Simultaneously, his defence minister, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for discussions with his EU counterparts.

Frustration over US-Led Talks

The EU official shared frustration that Europeans were not represented in recent negotiations held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she characterized as "challenging yet fruitful." When asked about having faith in the US to find a favorable outcome for Ukraine, she noted, "Ukraine's representatives are there alone. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would certainly be far more powerful."

Writing on social media, Zelenskyy stated the US talks had been "highly productive" but that there were "a number of challenging issues that remain to be addressed."

Anxiety over US Proposals

European leaders were earlier alarmed by a US framework that circulated last month, which was weighted in Russia's favor. Its alleged terms included granting Moscow territories in eastern Ukraine it did not yet control, forcing Kyiv to limit the size of its army, and abandoning its ambition to join NATO. While that original plan has reportedly been scaled back, Witkoff's forthcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth meeting with Putin—is likely to increase unease in Kyiv and across European governments.

Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia on Monday, with Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to continue negotiations. Kushner recently played an active role in talks over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin did not specify whether Kushner would too be present at the meeting with Putin.

Weekend Discussions and Domestic Pressure

The two trusted Trump representatives participated in the Florida talks between senior Ukrainian and US officials, which took place 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. "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 pressure, President Zelenskyy is facing internal pressure following the abrupt 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 most serious crisis of Zelenskyy's time in office.