Putin Discusses Ukraine Settlement with Finnish and Norwegian Leaders
Political
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The call was initiated by the Finnish and Norwegian leaders, and focused on the war in Ukraine, diplomatic efforts to end it and European security, according to official statements.
The Kremlin said Putin presented his assessment of the situation surrounding the conflict and argued that a durable and just peace in Ukraine would require Russia’s interests to be taken into account. He also said what he described as the confrontational policies of NATO and the European Union were prolonging the fighting.
The leaders discussed security and stability in the Baltic Sea region and northern Europe. Stubb and Støre stressed the importance of international maritime law and freedom of navigation. Norway’s government said the two leaders took part in their national capacities, not as representatives of Europe as a whole, and reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine.
The conversation also covered plans to resume talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi in early November. According to the Norwegian government, the call followed a meeting in Oslo on October 20 and was arranged in consultation with Ukraine. Its aim was to convey directly to Putin the Nordic countries’ position on the future negotiating process.
Stubb described the conversation as direct and substantive, saying the outcome of the war would directly affect the security of Finland, Norway and Europe. Støre emphasized the need to de-escalate the conflict and bring the war to an end.
Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would have to assess whether Finland and Norway could make a constructive contribution to a peace settlement. Following the call, the leaders agreed to maintain telephone contact. The expected Abu Dhabi talks could mark the next stage in diplomatic efforts, although their specific outcomes remain uncertain.
The leaders discussed security and stability in the Baltic Sea region and northern Europe. Stubb and Støre stressed the importance of international maritime law and freedom of navigation. Norway’s government said the two leaders took part in their national capacities, not as representatives of Europe as a whole, and reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine.
The conversation also covered plans to resume talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi in early November. According to the Norwegian government, the call followed a meeting in Oslo on October 20 and was arranged in consultation with Ukraine. Its aim was to convey directly to Putin the Nordic countries’ position on the future negotiating process.
Stubb described the conversation as direct and substantive, saying the outcome of the war would directly affect the security of Finland, Norway and Europe. Støre emphasized the need to de-escalate the conflict and bring the war to an end.
Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would have to assess whether Finland and Norway could make a constructive contribution to a peace settlement. Following the call, the leaders agreed to maintain telephone contact. The expected Abu Dhabi talks could mark the next stage in diplomatic efforts, although their specific outcomes remain uncertain.
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