BREAKING: 🇫🇮🇳🇴 Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have held a…
Armed Conflict · · Abu Dhabi
BREAKING: 🇫🇮🇳🇴 Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to convey Ukraine’s messages ahead of upcoming peace talks in Abu Dhabi, in a move that has exposed divisions among European leaders over how to approach Moscow.
According to the Finnish president’s office, Ukraine was consulted ahead of the conversation. The call was initiated by Stubb and Støre following their meeting in Oslo on October 20, as diplomatic efforts to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine continue.
During the conversation, both leaders stressed that the war must end and that negotiations must continue. They also underlined that the outcome of the conflict will have direct consequences for the security of Finland, Norway and the wider European Union.
However, the decision to speak directly with Putin has drawn criticism from other European leaders. 🇩🇰 Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed strong skepticism, saying the call had not been coordinated with other European countries. 🇸🇪 Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also said he had not been informed in advance and questioned what the conversation could achieve.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin confirmed the call. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly insisted that any peace settlement would require Russia’s interests to be taken into account unconditionally. He also accused the European Union and NATO of prolonging the war.
The conversation comes as diplomatic efforts continue ahead of the planned peace talks in Abu Dhabi, with European governments divided over whether direct engagement with the Kremlin can help advance negotiations or risks undermining a coordinated European position on Ukraine.
Source: @GeoInsider
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