The leaders of Finland and Norway have conducted a joint call with Vladimir Putin, marking an unusual interaction between the Russian president and European leaders.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that the purpose of the call was to "deliver messages directly concerning upcoming negotiations" for peace.
Stubb stated that silence will not bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Neither party indicated that progress had been made toward concluding the conflict, which started when Russia initiated its significant invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
While the Finnish leader noted that the dialogue with Putin was "frank and substantive," Støre mentioned that there were "significant differences in opinions" with Putin.
Recently, a number of European leaders have expressed a readiness to interact directly with Russia, but both Stubb and Støre emphasized that their efforts were made as neighboring countries of Russia, not on behalf of Europe as a collective.
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Stubb mentioned that the call was arranged in collaboration with Ukraine and the US after a discussion involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Nordic leaders, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo the previous week.
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The initial trilateral discussions involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia since the year's beginning are cautiously scheduled for early November in Abu Dhabi.
Zelensky subsequently stated that Stubb and Støre briefed him after the conversation and expressed his gratitude for their "active support," while his Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha remarked that the call represented "the right approach."
Finland and Norway, neighboring Russia, started the 90-minute call - conducted from Helsinki - to "address Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine and the diplomatic initiatives to conclude the conflict and support peace and stability in Europe," stated the leaders' offices.
Støre stated: "The conflict entails massive human and material expenses." "The pain and devastation will affect future generations."
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The Kremlin reported that Putin informed the leaders that "a fair and enduring peace" could only be achieved if Russia's interests were acknowledged.
Putin reiterated to the Nordic leaders what he sees as the "root causes" of the conflict - his common abbreviation for Ukraine's aspiration to be a sovereign nation.