Norway and Finland leaders hold rare call with Putin
The leaders of Norway and Finland held a rare joint phone call with Vladimir Putin, notifying allies in advance amid ongoing Ukraine tensions.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Leaders of Norway and Finland held a joint call with Vladimir Putin
- Putin claimed EU and NATO confrontational policies prolong the war
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with the two Nordic leaders
- Discussions paved the way for trilateral talks scheduled in Abu Dhabi
The leaders of Finland and Norway have engaged in a joint telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a rare instance of direct contact between European leaders and the Kremlin. Both Nordic leaders emphasized that they were not acting on behalf of other European heads of state.
Following the discussion, Putin stated that confrontational policies pursued by the European Union and NATO are prolonging the conflict, which escalated into a full-scale invasion launched by Russia in 2022.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a conversation with the two Nordic leaders immediately after their dialogue with Putin. Last week, Zelensky met with them alongside US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo, expressing deep gratitude for the active support provided by his Finnish and Norwegian counterparts.
This direct diplomatic outreach by Nordic leaders to the Kremlin highlights a growing sentiment among European nations that they must establish independent communication channels. This shift comes amidst concerns over softening US positions and long-standing regional security complexities.
Jonas Gahr Støre noted that the ongoing war entails devastating human and material costs that will resonate across generations. He also confirmed that all regional allies were thoroughly briefed prior to making the direct call to Moscow.
"The war comes with enormous human and material costs... The suffering and destruction will impact generations."
Jonas Gahr Støre
Relations between Washington, Kyiv, and European allies have experienced strain since US President Donald Trump agreed to lift specific sanctions against Russia, permitting oil exports to the United States.
Prior to the Kremlin call, Finnish and Norwegian leaders met US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo before his journey to St. Petersburg to meet Putin. These diplomatic efforts resulted in Ukraine, Russia, and the US agreeing to resume trilateral negotiations previously halted for months.
Zelensky noted that conversations with the Nordic leaders also touched upon preparations for the upcoming trilateral discussions scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi, exploring diverse formats for European engagement in diplomacy, defense, and security.
Stubb and Støre represent the first European leaders to contact Putin directly since French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with him in July 2025. As Washington adjusts its approach toward Moscow, several European figures argue that Europe should actively pursue direct diplomatic channels with the Kremlin.
Source: BBC World
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