Finnish and Norwegian leaders call Putin, urge restart of peace talks
The rare direct contact came as the two Nordic leaders backed de-escalation and U.S.-mediated trilateral talks on ending the war.
- On Tuesday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere held phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Stubb and Stoere emphasized their role as national leaders rather than representing Europe as a whole, with the calls addressing upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi.
- Last week, Stoere and Stubb met Steve Witkoff and Zelenskyy in Oslo, a day before Witkoff held discussions with Putin in Petersburg.
- Following the Putin-Witkoff talks, The Kremlin stated Russia is willing to resume peace discussions with Ukraine in November for the first time since February.
- Stubb said "ending the war requires direct discussions," noting the conflict's outcome impacts European security, while Russia contrasts its engagement with President Donald Trump against Western European leaders.
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Finland and Norway leaders make rare direct call to Putin, breaking with the West’s diplomatic isolation of the Russian leader to influence Ukraine peace talks
The Nordic leaders called for de-escalation ahead of November peace talks, with Zelenskyy saying they pressed Putin over attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The Kremlin reiterated that any settlement must account for Russia’s demands.
The truce, announced by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, seemed to be maintained in the morning around Oleshky, a city in southern Ukraine facing shortages of supplies
The Russian dictator devoted much of the conversation with the leaders of European countries to a long historic retreat as they tried to resume peace talks on Ukraine.
Contacts between Finland, Norway, Russia and Ukraine intensified in preparation for United States-mediated talks next month, amid continuing divergent positions on ways to end the war and ensure security arrangements for stability in the region.
Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre conveyed to Moscow Volodymyr Zelensky's desire to meet Vladimir Putin. The Russian President replied that he will only accept a meeting when there is a peace agreement ready to be signed. The contact also marked the return of direct talks between European leaders and the Kremlin, interrupted since July 2025.
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