Finnish and Norwegian Leaders Speak with Putin, Drawing Mixed European Reaction

The leaders of Finland and Norway held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on peace negotiations, in a move coordinated with Kyiv and Washington that sparked skepticism across Europe.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding peace negotiations, The Guardian and El Mundo reported. According to the reports, both leaders emphasized that ending the war requires direct talks and noted that the call had been coordinated in advance with Ukraine and the United States.

While Kyiv voiced hope that the conversation would provide renewed momentum for diplomatic efforts, the initiative met with skepticism from some European leaders. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sharply criticized the move, questioning what could be achieved and asserting that Russia does not want peace under any circumstances. Further details regarding the content of the conversation have not yet been released.