Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre officially described the call as the delivery of a message directly relating to future peace negotiations. Stubb subsequently added that the end of the conflict in Ukraine will not be achieved through silence but through dialogue among several parties. Although Stubb said that the conversation with Putin was candid and business-like, Støre admitted that they and Putin had differing outlooks on the future. The call was described as an attempt by European leaders to influence the diplomatic process after Donald Trump changed his stance on the war in Ukraine, specifically by lifting several sanctions on Russia and buying oil from Russia. After the call, the European leaders spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who praised their efforts to engage in dialogue with the Russian side.
President Stubb and Prime Minister Støre further described the call as their initiative as countries bordering Russia. They also stressed that the outcome of the war will have a direct impact on their countries and on wider European security. Ending the war will require direct discussions, without which this conflict will not end.
Stubb and Støre are the first European leaders to contact Putin directly since July 2025. The last to hold a telephone conversation with him was French President Emmanuel Macron. The European Commission was informed of the call in advance and stressed the need to maintain a united position within the Union. Beyond this statement, it offered no other comment. The call was, however, criticised by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who remarked that she does not see peace behind Russia's statements. She further stated that Europe should stick together rather than have each state pursue its own interests individually.
On the Kremlin's side, official spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the possibility of having a European negotiator at the peace talks as a good option. Although he went on to remark that he does not see Finland and Norway as the main negotiators on behalf of Europe, he described the conversation as very constructive and practical.
Since both countries lie in the immediate vicinity of Russia, it is logical that the leaders of these countries are concerned about their futures. It must be borne in mind, however, that we all share the European space together, and that one should not give way to an aggressor. At the same time, the peace talks should involve several parties, with European states having an important say, since it is their shared territory and shared future that is at stake.
