The leaders of Finland and Norway conducted a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin from Helsinki, aiming to convey messages regarding future peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre characterized the conversation as frank and substantive, though they acknowledged significant differences in viewpoints with Putin. Both leaders emphasized that an end to the conflict requires active dialogue rather than inaction.
The Nordic leaders stressed they were acting in their capacity as Russia’s neighbors rather than representing European interests collectively. The initiative followed consultations with Ukraine and the United States, including a meeting in Oslo the previous week attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Ukraine’s leadership later expressed support for the diplomatic effort, with Zelensky confirming he was debriefed on the call and noting his gratitude for their engagement.
Putin’s statements during the call centered on his assertion that a lasting peace settlement requires full consideration of Russia’s interests and what he characterizes as the underlying causes of the conflict. Both sides agreed to maintain direct communication channels. The trilateral talks involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia are tentatively scheduled for early November in Abu Dhabi.
The initiative drew mixed reactions from European capitals. Some leaders, including Sweden’s prime minister, expressed concern about individual European nations conducting separate talks with Russia rather than maintaining unified positioning. However, Poland’s prime minister reported receiving information suggesting moderate optimism about the upcoming negotiations. The dialogue occurred amid shifting dynamics in international relations, including recent changes in US policy toward Russian sanctions and ongoing debate about Europe’s role in peace efforts.
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