Finnish president and Norwegian PM hold talks with Putin on Ukraine peace efforts

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, October 27, to discuss the war in Ukraine and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

According to the Finnish Presidency, the conversation followed a meeting held in Oslo on October 20 and was arranged in consultation with Ukraine, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

The two Nordic leaders initiated the call to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine and diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in Europe.

One of the main objectives was to convey Ukraine's messages regarding upcoming peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi directly to Putin.

Finland and Norway, both neighboring Russia and longstanding supporters of Ukraine, clarified that Stubb and Støre participated in the conversation as leaders of their respective countries rather than as representatives of Europe.

During the call, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine and emphasized the need to end the war through continued diplomatic engagement.

They also highlighted Finland's and Norway's dedication to regional peace and security, stressing their roles as stable and predictable partners in the Baltic Sea and Nordic regions.

Stubb described the conversation as direct and focused, emphasizing that the outcome of Russia's war against Ukraine would have major consequences for the security of both countries and Europe as a whole.

He stressed that direct dialogue would be necessary to bring the conflict to an end.

Norwegian Prime Minister Støre also addressed the humanitarian consequences of the war, warning that its impact would extend far beyond the current generation.

He emphasized the importance of de-escalation and efforts to reduce tensions.

Talks follow diplomatic meeting in Oslo

The telephone conversation followed diplomatic discussions in Oslo on October 20 involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Stubb, Støre and senior U.S. representatives.

The Oslo meeting focused on possible steps toward ending the war, Ukraine's long-term security and the broader implications for European stability.

U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also participated in the discussions.

The latest diplomatic activity comes as Ukraine, Russia and the United States prepare for a possible trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi in early November.

Zelensky has said the proposed negotiations would initially take place at the level of negotiating teams, with the possibility of further high-level discussions depending on progress.

No final peace agreement has been announced, and significant differences remain between the parties.

For Finland and Norway, developments in Ukraine carry particular security implications because both countries share borders with Russia.

The Nordic leaders reiterated that their continued support for Ukraine remains unchanged despite their decision to engage directly with Putin.

The call was made from Helsinki, according to the Finnish Presidency, which did not announce any concrete agreements resulting from the conversation.

Photo: Chat GPT