Finnish and Norwegian leaders hold phone call with Putin on ending war in Ukraine

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the Finnish president's office announced. The call followed up on a meeting held in Oslo on 20 October, and its main purpose was to convey Ukraine's position on the upcoming peace talks in Abu Dhabi directly to Putin.

Stubb and Støre initiated the call themselves. According to the president's office, the conversation covered Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as efforts to promote peace and stability in Europe.

What happened in Oslo

On 20 October, the Norwegian capital hosted a meeting between Steve Witkoff, special envoy of US President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Stubb also took part. Afterwards, Witkoff travelled to St. Petersburg, where he met Putin, then returned to Oslo and flew on to the United States.

What comes next

Following these contacts, the sides agreed to hold a new trilateral meeting between Russia, the US and Ukraine. It is to take place in Abu Dhabi after 4 November, that is, after the US midterm elections.

After this latest step in resuming peace talks, European countries began looking for a representative who could take part on behalf of the European Union. The Telegraph named Stubb and Støre among the possible candidates, along with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Czech President Petr Pavel and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.