Call to Putin was prepared jointly with Ukraine and US, Stubb says
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a telephone conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on 27 October, lasting around an hour and a half. The Finnish leader shared details of the call.
Yle reports this, according to Censor.NET.
Details from Stubb
According to him, the conversation followed up on the meeting in Oslo on 20 October and took place in cooperation with Ukraine and the United States. Key allies, including all Nordic Council countries, were informed in advance and briefed on its content afterwards.
Following the call, he said President Zelenskyy received a briefing lasting approximately 30 minutes on how the conversation had gone.
"We discussed the key issues and messages we had agreed on the previous evening before the call," Stubb said.
He described the conversation as follows: "The conversation with President Putin was professional and direct."
Why the call was needed
The Finnish leader also explained the need for the call.
"Prime Minister Støre and I considered it important for border states such as Finland and Norway to clarify issues that could lead to misunderstandings. And to convey direct messages to the president of the Russian Federation from the perspective of the Nordic countries, particularly Finland and Norway," he said.
Stubb added that Finland and Norway would continue supporting Ukraine and working towards a lasting and just peace.
Meeting in Abu Dhabi
"The way has now been paved for a meeting involving the United States, Ukraine, Russia and European countries, which will take place in Abu Dhabi in November," Stubb added.
Background
- The leaders of Finland and Norway held a conversation with dictator Putin.
- The talks with Putin were held in coordination with Ukraine.
- This is Putin’s first direct contact with top-level European leaders who support Kyiv since French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Putin in July last year.
- Zelenskyy also held a telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
- According to Stubb, the discussion was "frank and businesslike".
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is not particularly pleased with her Scandinavian counterparts’ telephone conversation with Putin.
