Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, October 27, then separately briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the call. The outreach, coordinated in advance with Kyiv, aimed to advance preparations for upcoming negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
A Coordinated but Independent Initiative
According to a joint statement from the Norwegian government, the two Nordic leaders initiated the call from Helsinki specifically to discuss efforts toward ending the war and the structure of forthcoming talks. Stubb called the exchange frank and substantive, noting that Finland and Norway, both bordering Russia, have direct stakes in the security outcomes under discussion. Crucially, the statement clarified that Stubb and Støre were acting as national leaders, not as representatives of the European Union or NATO collectively.
Kyiv's Role and Demands
Zelenskyy confirmed the arrangement through his office, thanking the two leaders for their briefing. He said they had relayed Ukraine's demand for concrete measures to curb Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. The conversation also touched on preparations for trilateral talks among Ukrainian, American and Russian delegations, tentatively planned for November. Kyiv's advance knowledge of the Putin call reinforces its longstanding position that any decisions touching its sovereignty or territory require its direct participation.
Diplomatic Momentum Since Oslo
Tuesday's calls followed an October 20 meeting in Oslo that included Zelenskyy, Stubb, Støre, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in person, and Jared Kushner remotely, alongside European and NATO representatives. Witkoff then traveled to St. Petersburg on October 21 to meet Putin directly. Another round of talks is being planned for Abu Dhabi, expected after November 4, though dates and participants remain unconfirmed. The European Commission has also sought a seat at the table, confirming its involvement in the Oslo discussions on territorial issues, security guarantees and postwar economic arrangements.
Unresolved Divisions
The Kremlin's own account of the call showed little shift in Moscow's core demands, with Putin reportedly insisting on recognition of Russia's "legitimate interests" and accusing NATO and EU states of prolonging the conflict. Meanwhile, the Nordic initiative has exposed friction among European governments: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized the move as uncoordinated with Denmark, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson voiced concern that individual outreach could undermine a unified European stance. Whether this new communication channel yields progress on territory, security guarantees or a ceasefire remains uncertain ahead of the next U.S.-mediated talks.