The first phone conversation with Putin took place with possible European representatives for peace talks with Russia
On October 27, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Vladimir Putin.
Stubb and Støre initiated the conversation, the office of the President of Finland announced. They wanted to convey Ukraine's position on future negotiations to Putin.
The presidential office specifically emphasized that the politicians participated in the conversation as heads of their respective countries and did not speak on behalf of Europe as a whole.
"The conversation was direct and substantive. We are Russia's neighbors. How the war ends will affect the security of Finland and Norway, as well as all of Europe. Direct negotiations are necessary to end the war," Stubb stated.
Støre said that during the call, they emphasized the importance of de-escalation.
"The war brings immense human suffering and entails enormous costs. The war leaves a mark on many generations," noted the Norwegian Prime Minister.
Following the conversation, the Kremlin stated that "Putin and the leaders of Finland and Norway agreed to continue maintaining direct telephone contacts."
"In a conversation with the leaders of Finland and Norway, Putin assessed the current situation in the conflict zone in Ukraine, recalling its root causes," the Kremlin's statement said. It further included Moscow's traditional formula that "a just long-term peace in Ukraine is possible only taking into account the interests of the Russian Federation. In a conversation with the leaders of Norway and Finland, Putin pointed to the confrontational policy of NATO and EU countries, which prolongs the conflict in Ukraine." Also, "In a conversation with Stubb and Støre, Putin discussed ensuring security in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe regions. The leaders of the countries confirmed the importance of adhering to international maritime law and the principle of freedom of navigation," the Kremlin reported.
The call was a continuation of the meeting in Oslo on October 20.
The names of Stubb and Støre were mentioned as possible European representatives for peace talks with Russia. It was with them that Zelensky and Whitkoff met before Whitkoff's last talks with Putin.
After the conversation, Stubb and Støre held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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