Norway and Finland's leaders held a rare call with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of potential U.S.-Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi. The meeting focused on diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and promote peace in Europe.
The call followed a meeting in Oslo with Ukrainian, European, and U.S. officials, but Finland and Norway stressed they were not speaking on behalf of Europe. Both leaders emphasized the importance of de-escalation and direct discussions to resolve the conflict.
The meeting comes as the U.S. and Russia plan trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, with Europe engaging in multiple ways to support Ukraine. The EU remains committed to ending the war and achieving sustainable peace, though some leaders expressed skepticism about the direct talks with Russia.
Finland and Norway, which border Russia, initiated the call to discuss the war in Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to end it. The leaders stressed the need for a just and lasting peace, while the Kremlin emphasized the importance of considering Russia's legal interests in any resolution.