Nordic Leaders Press Putin to End Ukraine War in Rare Direct Call

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 27 and urged an end to the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

The two leaders spoke with Putin for about 90 minutes and then spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a joint statement, the two leaders described the conversation as frank and substantive.

Stubb said that as a country neighboring Russia, the outcome of the war directly affects the security of his country and of Europe as a whole.

He said direct dialogue is needed to end the war.

Støre said he emphasized the importance of de-escalation in the call.

The two leaders said strong support for Ukraine will continue.

The call departed from the practice of Western European leaders avoiding direct contact with the Kremlin.

The Kremlin's account of the call contained no signal that Putin had moved from his existing positions.

The Kremlin emphasized that a fair and long-term peace is possible only when Russia's legitimate interests are fully and unconditionally considered.

It also pointed to the confrontational policies of European Union and NATO countries as prolonging hostilities.

There were no reports that any agreement was reached in the call.