Zelensky shares details of Finnish and Norwegian leaders' talks with Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Finland's president and Norway's prime minister urged the Russian leader on 27 October to take de-escalation steps on Ukraine's energy and infrastructure. The call also covered a trilateral meeting planned for November.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on 27 October described a phone call between Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Zelensky, the two Nordic leaders told Putin plainly that real de-escalation steps are needed regarding Ukraine's energy sector and infrastructure. The issue matters because Russia's war against Ukraine continues while peace efforts are under discussion.
Zelensky spoke with Stubb and Støre after their call with Putin. The conversation followed earlier discussions in Oslo, which involved representatives of the United States, Europe and NATO. The Ukrainian president thanked both leaders for a detailed briefing and for their support of Ukraine's diplomacy.
What was discussed
The call with Putin also covered preparations for a trilateral meeting planned for November at the level of teams from Ukraine, the United States and Russia. Zelensky stressed that Finland and Norway, as countries bordering Russia, have a particular interest in sound and reliable security arrangements. Various formats of cooperation with European partners were also discussed, which could support diplomacy, Ukraine's defence and shared security.
Zelensky said peace must come, de-escalation is needed, and Russia must stop prolonging the war.
Background
Stubb and Støre placed the call to Putin on 27 October on their own initiative. In early October, Putin had said he was ready to resume peace talks as soon as possible, but on terms acceptable to Russia. He mentioned the occupation of the whole of Donbas, a neutral status for Ukraine and security guarantees for Russia.
On 24 October, Zelensky said he was ready for a peace deal that would freeze the war along the current front line, although Ukraine would not recognise occupied territory as Russian. On 25 October he said a sign of Russia's readiness for peace could be an energy ceasefire or a trilateral meeting of national leaders.
