The diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine is entering what the European Union's foreign policy chief has described as a 'pivotal week', with high-stakes meetings unfolding across the continent and beyond.
Zelenskyy's European Tour and Trump's Moscow Envoy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy embarked on a crucial diplomatic mission to rally support from key European allies. On Monday morning, he was welcomed to the Élysée Palace in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron for talks focused on 'the conditions of a just and durable peace'.
This meeting came as the Kremlin confirmed that Steve Witkoff, a property developer acting as a special envoy for former US President Donald Trump, is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. Witkoff, who recently faced scrutiny for coaching Russian officials on influencing Trump, will be attending his sixth face-to-face meeting with the Russian leader.
Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia alongside Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to continue peace negotiations aimed at halting Moscow's invasion. The pair were both involved in weekend discussions between senior US and Ukrainian officials held at a private Florida golf club developed by Witkoff's company.
European Anxiety and Diplomatic Tensions
The flurry of activity has heightened anxiety in European capitals, where Witkoff is widely viewed as sympathetic to the Kremlin. This concern was sparked last month by a leaked US peace plan, heavily favouring Russia, which proposed ceding Ukrainian territory, capping Ukraine's military, and blocking its NATO ambitions.
While that proposal has reportedly been scaled back, the envoy's direct access to Putin fuels unease. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas underscored the high stakes, stating, 'it could be a pivotal week for diplomacy'. She stressed that it remains 'clear that Russia does not want peace' and expressed frustration that Europeans were not represented at the Florida talks.
'Ukrainians are there alone. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would definitely be much stronger,' Kallas remarked, though she expressed trust that 'Ukrainians stand up for themselves.'
Broader Diplomatic Fronts and Domestic Pressure
The diplomatic offensive is multi-pronged. Following his Paris visit, President Zelenskyy is expected to make his first official visit to Ireland on Tuesday. Simultaneously, his Defence Minister, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels for meetings with EU counterparts.
Zelenskyy described the US weekend talks as 'very constructive' but acknowledged 'some tough issues that still have to be worked through'. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also voiced cautious optimism, calling the discussions 'difficult but productive' and noting that work with the 'other party'—Russia—would continue with Witkoff's Moscow trip.
These international efforts unfold against a backdrop of significant domestic pressure for Zelenskyy, following the resignation of his head of cabinet and closest adviser, Andriy Yermak, amid a widening anti-corruption probe that marks the most serious scandal of his presidency.
As envoys shuttle between capitals, the coming days will test whether this concentrated diplomatic activity can shift the trajectory of a war now in its third year.
