Nordic Leaders Urge De-escalation in Call With Putin

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday at their own initiative to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, according to European Pravda, citing Stubb’s office.

The conversation followed a meeting in Oslo on October 20 and was held in consultation with Ukraine, Stubb’s office said. The two Nordic leaders sought to advance diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war of aggression and promote peace and stability in Europe.

The Finnish president’s office said the purpose of the call was to convey messages directly to Putin about future negotiations aimed at ending the war. The discussion was also linked to upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi, where trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States are expected to take place in early November.

Stubb and Støre hosted US-Ukrainian talks in Oslo last week and are now reportedly briefing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on their conversation with Putin, according to Agence France-Presse.

The statement highlighted the two countries’ shared security interests as neighbors of Russia and firm supporters of Ukraine. “Norway and Finland have always promoted peace and security in our region. The two countries have a shared interest in stability and predictability in the Baltic Sea region and the High North. This was highlighted in the call,” the statement said.

Stubb described the conversation as “frank and substantive,” adding that ending the war requires direct discussions with Russia.

Norwegian Prime Minister Støre stressed the devastating consequences of the conflict and the need to reduce tensions. “The war comes with enormous human and material costs. The suffering and destruction will impact generations. In the call we stressed the importance of de-escalation,” he said.

Stubb’s office also clarified that the Finnish and Norwegian leaders participated in the conversation as representatives of their respective countries, not on behalf of Europe as a whole.