Nordic Leaders Engage Putin in Direct Talks for Ukraine Peace

Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store held a direct call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to explore avenues for a peace deal in Ukraine. The initiative, undertaken in consultation with Ukraine, aimed to convey messages regarding future negotiations to help end the ongoing conflict, according to a joint statement.

The discussion was linked to trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi early next month. These talks follow sporadic discussions between officials from the involved countries throughout the war, with two previous rounds held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

Both Nordic leaders emphasized their unwavering support for Ukraine and stressed the urgent need for the war to end and negotiations to resume. "The war comes with enormous human and material costs. The suffering and destruction will impact generations. In the call we stressed the importance of de-escalation", stated Prime Minister Store.

According to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr. Stubb and Mr. Store conveyed to Mr. Putin that attacks on Ukraine's energy and infrastructure must be de-escalated. "The two leaders clearly told the Russian leader that real de-escalation steps are needed regarding our energy sector and infrastructure," Mr. Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram following the call.

Mr. Stubb described the discussion as "frank and substantive," adding, "Ending the war requires direct discussions."

A Kremlin readout of the call indicated that Mr. Putin "emphasised that achieving a just and long-term peace is possible only if the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation are fully and unconditionally taken into account." The three leaders reportedly agreed to maintain "direct phone contacts."

These discussions emerge amidst a renewed effort to advance peace negotiations, with the war now in its fifth year. The call marks the first direct contact between Mr. Putin and top European leaders allied with Kyiv since French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with his Russian counterpart in July of the previous year.

The Nordic nations, sharing a border with Russia, have asserted their right to participate in discussions on European security, citing the direct impact the war's outcome will have on their own security and broader European stability. "We are neighbouring countries to Russia," Mr. Stubb noted. "The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and the broader European security." Both countries share a "shared interest in stability and predictability in the Baltic Sea region and the High North," the statement added.

The talks also follow a visit by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg, where he met Mr. Putin after holding talks in Oslo with Mr. Zelenskyy and the two Nordic leaders. Mr. Witkoff described Mr. Putin as a "humanitarian" during his visit.

Relations between Ukraine and the US have been strained, exacerbated by a diesel deal between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin and tensions over Starlink internet connections crucial for Ukraine's defense. Ukraine faces escalating budget needs and a deficit in air defenses against anticipated Russian winter offensives.

The article also notes a significant increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine, with a 85 percent jump in September due to intensified Russian drone and missile attacks. The UN reported at least 328 civilians killed and 2,105 injured last month. Ukraine has continued its long-range drone and missile attacks within Russia, targeting military and industrial sites, while also causing damage to civilian infrastructure and residential properties in border regions.

The call received criticism from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who expressed skepticism about the initiative, stating it was not coordinated with other European leaders and appeared to be a solo effort by Norway and Finland.