Nordic leaders held direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid heightened tensions over the Ukraine war, with Finland and Norway leading the initiative. The talks, described as 'frank and substantive,' aim to address the conflict and ensure European unity in supporting Ukraine.
Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store met with Putin, emphasizing the need for direct discussions to end the war. Stubb stated that the outcome will directly impact European security, highlighting the urgency of resolving the conflict.
Denmark and Estonia expressed skepticism over the initiative, warning that engaging with Putin could be seen as a sign of weakness. They stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia and supporting Ukraine without compromising European security principles.
The talks underscore the complexity of balancing diplomatic engagement with the need to uphold European solidarity and prevent further escalation of the conflict.