Finnish and Norwegian leaders hold rare call with Putin ahead of Ukraine talks

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine ahead of planned US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi in November.

The Nordic leaders, who later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the conversation was “frank and substantive” and emphasized the need for de-escalation and direct discussions. They said they spoke for their own countries rather than Europe as a whole and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine.

The Kremlin said Putin argued that a lasting settlement must account for Russia’s interests and blamed confrontational EU and NATO policies for prolonging the war. The participants agreed to maintain direct communication despite what Støre described as major differences.

The initiative drew criticism from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who said European countries should remain coordinated. Italy’s government said the call underscored Europe’s lack of agreement over who should represent it in negotiations.

The diplomatic contacts came as Russia launched overnight attacks on Ukraine. Kyiv officials said the South Bridge was hit during strikes involving 16 ballistic missiles and more than 280 drones. Deaths and injuries were also reported in Kharkiv and Pavlohrad. Russia said it targeted transport, logistics and industrial sites serving military purposes. Ukraine and Russia said Friday that they had agreed to technical meetings in Abu Dhabi in early November.