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The peace push to halt the fighting in Ukraine could be entering a "decisive week," the EU's lead foreign affairs official has observed, as a special envoy for former President Donald Trump gears up to hold talks with Vladimir Putin following weekend discussions with Ukrainian leaders.

Representative with Questionable Ties with Moscow Set for Talks

Steve Witkoff, the real estate magnate now serving as negotiator, is scheduled to confer with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, as announced by. Witkoff was recently revealed for coaching Russian representatives on methods to secure Trump's backing.

"It could be a pivotal week for negotiations," said the EU's lead official, while emphasizing it was "obvious that Russia is not seeking peace."

Zelenskyy's European Push for Support

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began a diplomatic push to rally support from Ukraine's European allies. He held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to talk over "the conditions of a just and durable peace," as stated by.

The Ukrainian leader is additionally scheduled to make his initial diplomatic trip to Ireland on Tuesday. Concurrently, his defence minister, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for discussions with his EU counterparts.

Frustration over American Talks

The EU diplomat expressed frustration that Europeans were not present in weekend negotiations held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she characterized as "tough but constructive." In response to a question about trusting the US to find a good solution for Ukraine, she commented, "Ukrainians are there by themselves. If they were together with the Europeans, they would certainly be far more powerful."

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

Worry over US Peace Plan

European leaders were earlier worried by a US plan that circulated last month, which was heavily tilted in Russia's favor. Its alleged terms included ceding Moscow areas in eastern Ukraine it did not yet control, forcing Kyiv to limit the size of its army, and abandoning its bid to join NATO. While that initial plan has reportedly been toned down, Witkoff's forthcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is expected to heighten anxiety in Kyiv and across European governments.

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

Florida Talks and Domestic Pressure

The two trusted Trump representatives were involved in the Florida talks between senior Ukrainian and US officials, which were held at a private 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 complex," Rubio said. "There are a lot of elements, and obviously there's another side involved here... that will have to be a part of the process."

Adding to the diplomatic challenges, President Zelenskyy is under internal strain following the unexpected resignation of his head of cabinet and closest adviser, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in the wake of a widening anti-corruption investigation that has become the biggest scandal of Zelenskyy's presidency.