Finland and Norway had informed their key allies, including all the Nordic countries, in advance of their intention to call Vladimir Putin. They later disclosed the content of the conversation. This was stated by the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, as he opened the Nordic summit in Helsinki, according to a Radio Free Europe correspondent.
“Together with the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, we considered it important that countries bordering Russia, such as Finland and Norway, clarify issues that could lead to misunderstandings and convey messages directly to the President of the Russian Federation — on behalf of the Nordic countries, Finland and Norway,” said Stubb.
According to the Finnish leader, the conversation with Putin lasted about an hour and a half, whilst the subsequent conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy lasted half an hour.
“The conversation with President Putin was professional and direct. And, of course, Norway and Finland continue to support Ukraine and to strive for a lasting and just peace. The groundwork is now being laid for a meeting involving the US, Ukraine, Russia and European nations, which is due to take place in Abu Dhabi sometime in November,” Stubb emphasised.
It should be noted that on 23 October, the Kremlin announced precisely such trilateral talks — between Ukraine, the US and Russia — in Abu Dhabi in November. Moscow has not confirmed European participation in this round. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that Europe might join further discussions.
The European Commission’s reaction
In response to a request from Radio Free Europe, the European Commission commented on the telephone talks with Vladimir Putin held on 27 October by the leaders of Finland and Norway:
“We are all keen to bring this terrible war to an end. We have taken note of the information regarding the telephone conversation, which followed on from the meeting in Oslo on 20 October. The European Union is firmly committed not only to stopping the war, but also to achieving a just and lasting peace. This is our goal, and it is precisely this position that we are upholding in the ongoing negotiations.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that the leaders of Norway and Finland had informed him of their contact with the Kremlin leader.
“The European side has formed a cautiously optimistic impression regarding the possibility of constructive talks in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson noted that he did not expect major results from the talks, and warned of a threat to the unity of the European position.
“In my view, everyone wants peace except Putin himself… If you look at what Russia is doing on the ground every day, there is nothing to suggest a desire for peace — it is seeking submission,” he emphasised.
The call to Putin was also criticised by a close ally of Norway and Finland – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. She stated that this initiative had not been agreed “with any of us”.
“I see no signs whatsoever that Russia wants peace with Europe. Neither in relation to the hybrid war that continues every day, nor with regard to Ukraine, against which Russia is launching brutal and aggressive attacks on a daily basis, resulting in numerous casualties. I believe we should preserve European unity rather than act individually,” she said.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Støre disagreed with his Danish counterpart’s criticism and reiterated that he and Stubb had represented their own countries, not the whole of Europe, in their conversation with the Russian leader.
“Over the past four years, the EU has still not produced a common message or a unified approach… We speak only on our own behalf, but this issue was discussed at length, and all our allies were informed in advance,” he stated.
On 27 October, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Støre spoke by telephone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin about Russia’s war against Ukraine. They later held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.