Stubb: Finland's President Relayed Two Messages from Zelensky to Putin

Finnish President Alexander Stubb told broadcaster Yle that during a 27 October phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin he relayed two messages from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They relate to possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, amid Russia's war against Ukraine.

According to Stubb, Zelensky asked him to tell Putin that Ukraine is ready for a bilateral meeting of the two leaders, where issues such as territory and security could be discussed. The second message concerned so-called de-escalation measures: Kyiv wants to reach a degree of truce in key areas, namely energy and energy facilities, food security, prisoner exchanges or infrastructure in general.

Norwegian prime minister also on the call

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre took part in the call alongside Stubb. The two used the opportunity to ask how Russia is preparing for trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. Stubb described that part of the conversation as very useful.

Asked whether the call with Putin had brought peace closer, Stubb said it was rather a confidence-building step. He noted that no step backwards had been taken, but that the first call was more of a trust-building move. Asked how contacts and relations with Russia would be restored, he said the matter would be handled calmly, step by step, but that relations like those that once existed between Russia and Finland will be quite different in the future.

Finland and Norway also told Putin that they do not approve of the activity of Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Baltic Sea. Stubb also denied media reports that Putin had lectured him and the Norwegian prime minister about history during the call.

Background

The Finnish president and the Norwegian prime minister initiated the 27 October call themselves. Stubb described the discussion as frank and businesslike. Zelensky said at the time that Stubb and Støre had clearly told Putin that real de-escalation steps were needed regarding Ukrainian energy and infrastructure. In his words, after the call there was a sense that Russia is serious about a meeting of negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi.