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The peace endeavor to halt the conflict in Ukraine could be entering a "pivotal week," the European Union's lead foreign affairs official has remarked, as a special envoy for former President Donald Trump gears up to confer with Vladimir Putin following weekend discussions with Ukrainian representatives.

Envoy with Controversial Ties to Moscow Scheduled for Meeting

Steve Witkoff, the real estate magnate now serving as envoy, is due to confer with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, as announced by. Witkoff was previously revealed for advising Russian officials on ways to gain Trump's backing.

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

Ukrainian Leader's European Push for Support

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy embarked on a mission to mobilize support from Ukraine's European friends. He conferred with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to talk over "the terms of a equitable and sustainable peace," according to.

The Ukrainian leader is furthermore expected to make his first official visit to Ireland on Tuesday. Concurrently, his defense chief, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for meetings with his EU counterparts.

Frustration over US-Led Talks

The EU official shared unease that Europeans were not represented in recent talks held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she characterized as "challenging yet fruitful." In response to a question about having faith in the US to find a positive outcome for Ukraine, she commented, "Ukraine's representatives are there alone. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would undoubtedly be far more powerful."

Writing on social media, Zelenskyy said the US talks had been "very constructive" but that there were "some tough issues that remain to be worked through."

Anxiety over American Peace Plan

European leaders were previously concerned by a US plan that circulated last month, which was heavily tilted in Russia's interest. Its alleged terms included granting Moscow regions in eastern Ukraine it does not yet control, forcing Kyiv to cap the size of its army, and abandoning its bid to join NATO. While that original plan has reportedly been scaled back, Witkoff's upcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is likely to increase anxiety in Kyiv and throughout European governments.

Witkoff is due to fly to Russia on Monday, accompanied by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to proceed with negotiations. Kushner previously played an prominent role in negotiations over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin did not specify whether Kushner would also be present at the meeting with Putin.

Florida Discussions and Political Pressure

The two close Trump representatives were involved in the weekend talks between senior Ukrainian and US delegates, which took place at a private 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 sensitive," Rubio stated. "There are a lot of complexities, and clearly there's another side involved here... that will have to be a part of the solution."

Adding to the international pressure, President Zelenskyy is facing domestic strain following the abrupt resignation of his head of cabinet and top aide, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in the wake of a expanding corruption investigation that has become the biggest scandal of Zelenskyy's presidency.