Norway and Finland leaders hold rare 90-minute call with Putin
Briefing by News4U · First published
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere spoke with Vladimir Putin for 90 minutes, breaking with a Western European practice of avoiding direct talks, Al Jazeera reported.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for 90 minutes on Tuesday, in a break from a longstanding Western European policy of avoiding direct talks with the Russian leader, Al Jazeera reported. [1]
The Nordic leaders are hoping to influence US-brokered diplomacy on Ukraine after a policy shift by US President Donald Trump in favour of Russia. Trump told reporters on Tuesday that direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents would happen “very soon”. [1]
Stubb said ending the war requires direct discussions and stressed the call was held in individual capacities as leaders of Norway and Finland, not as representatives of Europe. Stoere said they stressed de-escalation and that talking to the other side does not mean easing pressure. [1]
The Kremlin’s summary said a just and long-term peace is possible only if Russia’s legitimate interests are fully and unconditionally taken into account, according to Al Jazeera. [1]
Sources
- Norway and Finland hold rare phone call with Putin: What that means
Al Jazeera · · Full text