Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finland's President Alexander Stubb held a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first direct engagement between European leaders and Moscow since 2025. The meeting, held in Helsinki, focused on diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and prepare for trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.
The call, which followed a meeting in Oslo with Ukrainian and U.S. officials, did not address an immediate ceasefire. Putin emphasized Russia's legal interests in any peace deal, while Støre and Stubb stressed their role as neighbors of Russia rather than speaking on behalf of Europe. Both leaders confirmed they would continue direct communication with Putin.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Stubb and Støre for their support in peace efforts. European officials, including Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, expressed skepticism about the call, noting it was not coordinated with other leaders. The EU remains committed to ending the war through sustained diplomatic efforts.
The Kremlin confirmed the call, highlighting the importance of international law. Western historians have criticized Putin's historical narratives as distortions, but the leaders' dialogue reflects a broader shift in European diplomacy to engage directly with Russia.