Stubb and Støre described their Putin call as substantive, while acknowledging major differences remain.
Why it matters: The exchange exposed a disagreement over whether European governments should engage Moscow individually or coordinate their communications. It also underscored that direct contact did not resolve the central disputes over Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Vladimir Putin on October 27 from Helsinki.
- The call lasted approximately 90 minutes after being scheduled for 20 minutes.
- The leaders discussed Russia's war in Ukraine, European security, energy infrastructure, the Black Sea and planned Abu Dhabi negotiations.
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized the contact, while Poland's Donald Tusk said Warsaw had been consulted and urged restraint.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre explained their decision to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin after criticism from Denmark. The Guardian reported that the call took place from Helsinki.
The call followed their October 20 meeting in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. The Nordic governments said the conversation covered Russia's war against Ukraine, diplomatic efforts, European peace and security, and messages related to planned negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
“It was a direct and substantive conversation,” Stubb said. Støre said the call was initially expected to last 20 minutes but continued for approximately 90 minutes. Topics included attacks on energy infrastructure, the Black Sea and possible steps toward de-escalation, according to The Guardian.
Støre also stressed the limits of the exchange: “There remain significant differences in our respective positions.” He reiterated Norway's support for Ukraine and its right to self-defense.
According to The Associated Press, Stubb and Støre said they spoke for their own countries, not Europe as a whole. Støre said allied governments were informed before the call and received a detailed account afterward. The two leaders later spoke with Zelenskyy about the conversation, continued support for Ukraine and efforts toward a just and lasting peace.
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen questioned the approach, saying, “I do not know what the two countries think they can achieve with this,” and arguing that European countries should communicate with Moscow together, according to The Guardian. Poland's Donald Tusk said Warsaw had been consulted but urged restraint about interpreting the dialogue as evidence of a Russian shift, the AP reported.
The governments' public accounts announced no breakthrough, agreement or narrowing of the core political differences.
By the numbers
- 90 minutes - approximate length of the call
- 20 minutes - initial planned duration
- October 27 - date of the call
Yes, but: The leaders characterized the conversation as direct and substantive, but Støre said significant differences remained and the governments announced no concrete outcome.
What's next: The governments' public accounts did not specify confirmed participants, an agenda or a date for the planned Abu Dhabi negotiations.