Stubb and Støre pressed Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector and infrastructure
Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre urged Putin to de-escalate attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector and infrastructure during Tuesday’s call ahead of planned Abu Dhabi talks. The Kremlin said Putin told them a just, long-term peace depends on Russia’s legitimate interests being fully and unconditionally taken into account; it said the leaders agreed to maintain direct phone contacts.
More context
Vladimir Putin said a just and long-term peace in Ukraine was possible only if Russia’s interests were fully taken into account, according to the Kremlin’s account of Tuesday’s call with Finland’s president and Norway’s prime minister. The readout, cited by The National, said the three leaders agreed to maintain direct phone contacts.
Stubb and Støre initiated the call in consultation with Ukraine and pressed Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector and infrastructure, The National reported. The conversation was tied to trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States planned for Abu Dhabi early next month. The two leaders later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EU Today reported that other Nordic leaders criticized the initiative.
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Reporting
- The National — Finland and Norway leaders speak to Putin ahead of Ukraine peace talks | The National
- The Moscow Times — Finnish, Norwegian Leaders Call Putin Ahead of Ukraine Peace Talks - The Moscow Times
- POLITICO Europe — Leaders of Finland and Norway talk to Putin – POLITICO
- Kyiv Post — Finland, Norway Push Putin for Peace
- Firstpost — Finnish, Norwegian leaders hold 'frank and substantive' call With Putin, urge end to Ukraine war
- eutoday.net — Finland and Norway Hold Direct Talks with Putin Ahead of Ukraine Peace Negotiations, Exposing European Divisions - https://eutoday.net
Verifier’s note
The National, EU Today, The Moscow Times, POLITICO, Kyiv Post, and Firstpost report that the Finnish and Norwegian leaders spoke with Putin about ending the Ukraine war and upcoming peace negotiations. Bloomberg and Ynetnews report only that talks were planned, not that the call took place.