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Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to end it, according to Finland’s president’s office. The office said the leaders conveyed Ukraine’s position ahead of a planned Russia-U.S.-Ukraine meeting in Abu Dhabi, expected after November 4. Details of the call and the positions discussed have not been released.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Russia’s war against Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to end it, Finland’s president’s office said. The office said the leaders aimed to convey Ukraine’s position ahead of planned peace talks in Abu Dhabi, making the call a new contact involving European leaders as preparations continue for a possible trilateral meeting.
The Finnish president’s office said Stubb and Støre initiated the call. It described the conversation as a follow-up to a meeting in Oslo on October 20 and said the leaders discussed the war and efforts to promote peace and stability in Europe. The statement did not give a detailed account of what Putin said or how he responded to the message about Ukraine’s position.
The October 20 Oslo meeting brought together U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian representatives, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, with Stubb also taking part, according to the report. Witkoff then traveled to St. Petersburg to meet Putin before returning to Oslo and flying to the United States. The report said participants subsequently agreed to hold a new meeting involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi after November 4, following the U.S. midterm elections.
The Finnish office characterized the phone call’s purpose as directly conveying Kyiv’s position on the upcoming talks. It did not publish the position itself, provide a transcript, or state whether the call produced any agreement. The report also did not say whether Ukraine was represented during the phone conversation.
European Leaders Join Peace Efforts
The call places the leaders of Finland and Norway in direct contact with Putin as diplomatic activity around possible Ukraine talks gathers pace. Their stated purpose was to pass on Ukraine’s position, rather than announce a settlement or a change in policy. The development matters because it shows European leaders seeking a role in discussions that also involve Washington, Moscow and Kyiv.
Any eventual agreement would directly affect Ukraine’s security and Europe’s stability, the two issues named by the Finnish office as part of the call’s focus. But the phone conversation, on its own, does not establish that the parties have narrowed their differences. The content of the message and Putin’s response remain undisclosed, so the call should be understood as diplomatic contact, not evidence that a deal is near.
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From Oslo Meeting to Abu Dhabi
The call followed a sequence of diplomatic contacts beginning with the October 20 Oslo meeting. Witkoff met with Zelensky and Ukrainian representatives there, while Stubb also participated. According to the report, Witkoff subsequently met Putin in St. Petersburg, then returned to Oslo before departing for the United States.
After those discussions, the parties agreed to a planned Russia-U.S.-Ukraine meeting in Abu Dhabi after November 4. Separately, European countries were looking for a representative who could take part on the European Union’s behalf. The Telegraph, as cited by the report, named Stubb and Støre among possible candidates, alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Czech President Petr Pavel and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. That list was reported as possible candidates, not a confirmed appointment.
“The call was “a follow-up of the meeting in Oslo on 20 October.””
— Finland’s president’s office
Call Details Remain Private
The Finnish president’s office has not released a transcript or detailed summary of the conversation. It is unclear what specific proposals or points Stubb and Støre conveyed, what Putin said in response, or whether the exchange changed plans for the Abu Dhabi meeting. The report does not establish that any ceasefire or peace agreement was reached.
The planned meeting was described as taking place after November 4, but the report provided no exact date, confirmed participant list beyond the three countries, or public agenda. Nor was a European Union representative confirmed. These details may change as governments announce further arrangements.
Abu Dhabi Talks Await Scheduling
The next reported milestone is the proposed trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi between Russia, the United States and Ukraine, expected after November 4. A precise date and agenda had not been provided in the source report. Further announcements from the governments involved would clarify who will attend and whether European officials will have a formal role.
Until then, the confirmed development is the phone conversation and the Finnish office’s account of its purpose. Any assessment of progress toward ending the war will depend on the substance of the planned talks and whether the parties publicly confirm concrete outcomes.
Key Questions
Who spoke with Vladimir Putin?
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Putin by phone, according to Finland’s president’s office.
What was the stated purpose of the call?
The Finnish office said the leaders discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to end it. It said they aimed to convey Ukraine’s position ahead of planned Abu Dhabi peace talks.
When are the Abu Dhabi talks expected?
The report said a meeting between Russia, the United States and Ukraine was planned for after November 4. It did not give an exact date.
Did the phone call produce an agreement?
No agreement was reported. The Finnish office did not publish a detailed account of the discussion or Putin’s response, and the report said nothing about a ceasefire or settlement being reached.
Has the European Union chosen a representative for the talks?
No appointment was confirmed in the report. The Telegraph, as cited by Meduza, listed Stubb, Støre and several other European leaders as possible candidates for an EU role.
Source: meduza.io
