Nordic leaders conveyed messages on negotiations, de-escalation and regional stability
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on October 27 to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine, according to a statement from Stubb’s office. The office formally confirmed the contact after reports circulated that the Nordic leaders might again be active in diplomacy on Ukraine.
The statement described the call as “a follow-up” to the Oslo meeting last week, where the leaders hosted US-Ukrainian talks. It said the pair wanted to advance their diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
According to the statement, Finland and Norway border Russia and are firm supporters of Ukraine. “The aim of the call was to convey messages directly regarding future negotiations to help to end the war to President Putin,” the statement said.
The call was related to upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi. Trilateral talks among Russia, Ukraine and the US were expected there in early November.
The leaders specified the scope of their participation. “Stubb and Støre took the call as leaders of their respective countries and did not speak on the behalf of Europe as a whole,” Stubb’s office said.
The statement also cited shared regional interests: “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.”
Stubb called the discussions “frank and substantive” and said “ending the war requires direct discussions” with Russia.
Støre said: “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.”