Finnish, Norwegian Leaders Call Putin Ahead of Ukraine Peace Talks
Moscow confirmed the call shortly after officials in Helsinki and Oslo released statements about the conversation, which marks the first time a leader from one of Ukraine’s European allies spoke to Putin since French President Emmanuel Macron’s phone call with the Kremlin chief in July 2025.
Stubb’s office said he and Støre initiated the call in order to “discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the diplomatic efforts to end the war and promote peace and stability in Europe.”
It said the aim of the outreach, made in consultation with Ukraine, was “to convey messages directly regarding future negotiations to help to end the war to President Putin,” adding that it was also “related to the upcoming meetings to be held in Abu Dhabi.”
“In the call we stressed the importance of de-escalation,” Støre’s office said in its statement about the call with Putin.
The Kremlin said Putin “reiterated the root causes” of his decision to order the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In the phone call, he also “drew attention to the confrontational policies of EU and NATO member states, which he noted serve to prolong the hostilities.”
Stubb, Støre and Putin also discussed security and stability in the Baltic Sea and Northern European regions, the Kremlin’s readout said. The three leaders agreed to maintain direct contact moving forward, it added.
Tuesday’s phone call comes a week after Stubb and Støre met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo. The purpose of the Oslo talks was to mend strained relations between Kyiv and Washington, as well as to seek a new path out of the war.
Witkoff later met with Putin in St. Petersburg to report on progress in efforts to end the conflict. The Kremlin said it is willing to resume U.S.-mediated peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi as soon as next month.
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
Source link
