The leaders of Finland and Norway have engaged in a joint telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a rare direct diplomatic contact between Moscow and European heads of state since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held the 90-minute call from Helsinki to communicate messages regarding potential future peace negotiations. Stubb stated that resolving the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine requires active engagement rather than silence, describing the talk with Putin as frank and substantive.
Neighbouring Perspective and Diplomatic Preparation
Both Nordic leaders emphasized that they were acting strictly as neighbouring nations bordering Russia, rather than representing Europe as a whole. Støre noted significant differences in viewpoints during the call, emphasizing the immense human and material costs of the conflict. The initiative was prepared following discussions in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Nordic officials, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Zelensky confirmed he received a debriefing following the conversation and expressed gratitude for the Nordic leaders’ active involvement. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also characterized the direct communication as a constructive step. The discussion comes ahead of tentatively scheduled trilateral talks involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia in Abu Dhabi.
Responses from Moscow and European Allies
According to statements from the Kremlin, Putin informed the Nordic leaders that any lasting peace agreement must fully address Russia’s legal interests. He also reiterated his position regarding what he terms the root causes of the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later described the exchange as very practical and constructive, noting the value of speaking with key neighbouring nations, though all parties agreed to maintain open phone lines.
The outreach occurred without coordination across the wider European Union, drawing mixed reactions from regional partners. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson advocated for unified European action rather than individual initiatives. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk indicated that Stubb shared a moderately optimistic outlook regarding Europe’s stance ahead of the upcoming diplomatic meetings in the United Arab Emirates.
Source: BBC News
