Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, marking a rare instance of direct dialogue between European leaders and the Kremlin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The call, initiated by Stubb and Støre, focused on future negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and was conducted from Helsinki. According to a joint statement, the leaders described the discussion as ‘frank and substantive’, emphasizing the need for direct discussions to address the conflict’s impact on European security. Both Nordic leaders later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who confirmed the call had been coordinated with Kyiv. Zelensky called it ‘the right approach’ and expressed hope that a local ceasefire near the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky could facilitate broader peace efforts.
Context and Rationale
Stubb and Støre stated their decision to engage directly with Putin was driven by their countries’ proximity to Russia and the war’s direct implications for European security. ‘The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and the broader European security,’ Stubb said. Støre added that the leaders had ‘stressed the importance of de-escalation’ while reaffirming support for Ukraine. The call followed a meeting in Oslo on October 20 between the Nordic leaders, Zelensky, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, further linking the initiative to planned trilateral peace discussions in Abu Dhabi next month.
Kremlin Response and Divergent Views
The Kremlin’s readout of the call did not indicate any shift in Putin’s position. Putin later stated that ‘confrontational’ EU and NATO policies were prolonging the war and that a ‘just and lasting peace’ would require consideration of Russia’s interests. The Kremlin emphasized that achieving peace was possible only if the ‘legitimate interests of the Russian Federation’ were addressed, though no specific concessions were outlined.
Reactions from European Leaders
The outreach drew criticism from some Nordic counterparts. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged European leaders to ‘stick together’ on Ukraine, stating she saw no signs of compromise from Moscow. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also expressed surprise at the lack of advance notice, reiterating that peace must be achieved on Ukraine’s terms. Both leaders framed the call as a potential opportunity for Putin to exploit divisions among European allies.
Humanitarian and Diplomatic Context
The call occurred amid a tentative local truce near Oleshky, described by a Ukrainian negotiator as the ‘biggest de-escalation since 2022’, which aimed to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery. Stubb and Støre’s initiative follows a period of strained U.S.-Ukraine relations, with reports suggesting Washington’s shifting stance under President Donald Trump has influenced diplomatic dynamics. The Nordic leaders’ engagement reflects broader European efforts to explore diplomatic avenues despite ongoing military stalemates and increased long-range strikes by both sides.