Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s call with Vladimir Putin has sharpened debate over how Europe should engage Moscow as diplomacy over Ukraine continues.
Norway’s government said the call took place in Helsinki on Oct. 27, after the leaders met in Oslo on Oct. 20. It said the conversation was held in consultation with Ukraine and concerned diplomatic efforts to end the war, alongside upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi.
Stubb said the conversation lasted about 90 minutes, according to Yle. The Associated Press described it as the first known direct conversation between Putin and either leader since shortly after Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The two Nordic leaders presented the outreach as a bilateral effort, rather than an attempt to speak for Europe as a whole.
Støre said Finland and Norway’s allies were informed ahead of the call, while Stubb said all Nordic countries had been told, Yle reported. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed skepticism about Moscow’s willingness to pursue peace, the AP reported. In comments to Danish broadcaster DR, she also criticized the call as uncoordinated, Yle reported. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he had not been informed beforehand, according to Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter, as cited by Yle.
In an interview with Norway’s NRK, Støre said he doubted Putin would change his position but wanted him to hear the two leaders’ view directly. The Kremlin’s account said a lasting settlement would require Russia’s interests, which it called legitimate, to be considered unconditionally.
European leaders have also debated whether to designate someone to handle contacts with Moscow. The Guardian reported that the discussion has continued since summer with little progress. The Guardian quoted Dutch member of the European Parliament Reinier van Lanschot as saying a proposal could face a veto from one member state. A Guardian-cited analyst warned that Moscow might take advantage of divisions among European leaders and Ukraine’s allies.
Another round of talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States is expected in Abu Dhabi in November. Stubb said European representatives would also be involved, Yle reported.
