Finnish and Norwegian leaders held talks with Putin on Ukraine: Zelensky reveals details

President of Finland Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre held a joint telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 27. The main topics were the end of the war against Ukraine, the need for de-escalation and the preparation of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the USA and Russia, scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi.

The office of the President of Finland and the Government of Norway officially reported this. After the talks, the Kremlin and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also presented their positions.

The conversation took place at the initiative of Stubb and Støre after prior consultations with the Ukrainian side. Both leaders were in Helsinki, from where they called Putin.

According to information from the Finnish President's office, the purpose of the contact was to directly convey to the Russian leadership the position on future negotiations to end the war and ensure stability in Europe.

Separately, the parties discussed the security of the Baltic Sea and the northern regions of Europe. Finland and Norway share borders with Russia, so the results of a possible peace settlement will directly affect their security.

Stubb characterized the conversation as frank and substantive. He stressed that ending the war requires direct diplomatic contacts, since its consequences will determine the future European security system.

Støre drew attention to the significant human and material losses caused by the Russian invasion and emphasized the need for de-escalation.

Both leaders confirmed that Finland and Norway will continue to support Ukraine. At the same time, they clarified that they participated in the conversation as leaders of their own countries, not as representatives of Europe as a whole.

Zelensky revealed the results of the conversation with Putin

After the telephone talks with the Russian president, Stubb and Støre contacted Volodymyr Zelensky and thoroughly informed him about the content of the conversation.

The President of Ukraine thanked both leaders for coordinating diplomatic efforts and supporting the negotiation process.

According to Zelensky, Stubb and Støre directly told Putin about the need for real steps to reduce Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy and infrastructure.

"Alex and Jonas clearly told the Russian leader that real de-escalation steps are needed regarding our energy and infrastructure", the head of state said.

During the subsequent conversation, Zelensky, Stubb and Støre discussed the preparation of a trilateral meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the USA and Russia, scheduled to take place in November.

Also discussed were possible formats for involving European partners in the diplomatic process, further military support for Ukraine and ensuring common security.

Zelensky emphasized that Russia must stop prolonging the war, and negotiations must be accompanied by practical steps towards de-escalation.

Notably, in his public statement, Zelensky did not mention Putin by name, using instead the wording "the Russian leader".

Kremlin's position: demands regarding Russia's interests and accusations against the West

The Kremlin press service released its own account of the telephone conversation, focusing mainly on the conditions for a possible peace settlement.

According to the Russian side, Putin stated that long-term peace is possible only if Russia's interests are fully taken into account. He also presented his own assessment of the situation on the front line and repeated Moscow's position on the so-called root causes of the war.

In addition, the Russian president accused the countries of the European Union and NATO of allegedly pursuing confrontational policies, which, according to his claim, prolongs the hostilities.

These statements reflect the Kremlin's position. In official communications from Finland and Norway, such assessments were not supported. Instead, both countries emphasized the need to end Russian aggression and continue assistance to Ukraine.

According to the Kremlin, the interlocutors positively assessed the agreement on the upcoming trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. Issues of security in the Baltic region and Northern Europe were also discussed.

Separately, Putin informed the leaders of Finland and Norway about a humanitarian operation in the area of the temporarily occupied Oleshky in Kherson Oblast, where a local ceasefire regime was introduced on October 27 to conduct a humanitarian mission.

The Kremlin also stated that Putin, Stubb and Støre agreed to maintain direct telephone contacts. At the same time, none of the parties reported reaching new agreements on ending hostilities or specific conditions for a peace deal.

Earlier on October 27, Bloomberg, citing informed sources, reported on preparations for telephone talks between Putin and Stubb and Støre. Subsequently, the fact of the conversation was officially confirmed by Finland and Norway.

From talks in Oslo to the upcoming meeting in Abu Dhabi

The current contacts are a continuation of diplomatic consultations that took place in Oslo on October 20.

Then Zelensky met with Stubb and Støre. US President's special representative Steve Witkoff also joined the negotiations, while Jared Kushner participated remotely.

The participants discussed possible ways to end the war, security guarantees for Ukraine, territorial issues, sanctions, protection of energy infrastructure and post-war economic recovery.

Representatives from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the European Union and NATO were involved in broader consultations.

Following the meeting, Stubb announced progress in preparing proposals for a peaceful settlement. He noted that the parties were able to narrow differences on a number of issues, although no final agreements were reached.

On October 21, Witkoff visited St. Petersburg, where he met with Putin. The American side was to present to Moscow the proposals developed during the consultations in Oslo.

After these meetings, diplomatic activity regarding the possible resumption of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia intensified.

On October 23, Zelensky announced preparations for a new round of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the USA and Russia. According to preliminary plans, the meeting of negotiating teams is scheduled to take place in the first half of November in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Ukrainian president emphasized that Kyiv is ready to start negotiations even earlier. At the same time, the Ukrainian side insists on the participation of European partners in shaping future security arrangements.

After the conversation on October 27, Finland, Norway and Ukraine confirmed their interest in continuing diplomatic contacts. However, specific agreements on a ceasefire or ending the war have not yet been announced. The next planned stage of the negotiation process remains the November meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the USA and Russia.

Based on materials from: Office of the President of Finland, Government of Norway, Volodymyr Zelensky.