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The peace endeavor to conclude the fighting in Ukraine could be entering a "critical week," the European Union's foreign policy chief has stated, as a delegate for former President Donald Trump prepares to hold talks with Vladimir Putin after weekend discussions with Ukrainian officials.

Envoy Amid Questionable Links to Moscow Scheduled for Meeting

Steve Witkoff, the businessman turned negotiator, is due to hold talks with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, according to. Witkoff was in recent reports revealed for advising Russian diplomats on ways to gain Trump's favor.

"It could be a pivotal week for peace efforts," stated the EU's top diplomat, but emphasizing it was "clear that Russia is not seeking peace."

Ukrainian Leader's European Push for Backing

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

The Ukrainian leader is additionally scheduled 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.

Concern over US-Led Negotiations

The EU diplomat expressed concern that Europeans were not included in recent talks held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she described as "challenging yet fruitful." When asked about having faith in the US to find a positive resolution for Ukraine, she noted, "Ukraine's representatives are there by themselves. If they were together with the Europeans, they would definitely be much stronger."

Writing on social media, Zelenskyy said the US talks had been "highly productive" but that there were "several difficult issues that remain to be addressed."

Worry over American Peace Plan

European leaders were earlier concerned by a US plan that surfaced last month, which was weighted in Russia's interest. Its alleged terms included ceding Moscow regions in eastern Ukraine it does not yet control, forcing Kyiv to cap the size of its army, and renouncing 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 fuel unease in Kyiv and across European governments.

Witkoff is set to travel to Russia on Monday, accompanied by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to continue peace talks. Kushner previously played an active role in talks over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin has not confirmed whether Kushner would also attend the talks with Putin.

Weekend Discussions and Political Strain

The two close Trump representatives were involved in the weekend talks between senior Ukrainian and US officials, which took place at a private golf club developed by Witkoff's company.

After the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism for an end to the war. "More work to be done. This is delicate," Rubio stated. "We have a lot of elements, and clearly there's another party involved here... that will have to be a part of the equation."

Amid the diplomatic pressure, President Zelenskyy is facing domestic strain following the sudden resignation of his chief of staff and top aide, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in response to a widening corruption investigation that has become the most serious scandal of Zelenskyy's presidency.