Since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Western leaders have rarely spoken directly to Vladimir Putin — the benefit of such conversations is usually considered minimal. But on October 27, an exception occurred: Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre initiated a phone call with the Kremlin's leader. Both countries, as well as the Russian president's office, confirmed this.
Why they called
According to two European politicians, the purpose of the conversation was to directly convey messages to Putin regarding future negotiations that could help end the war. The call lasted about 90 minutes.
"The discussion was frank and substantive," Stubb said. He emphasized that the outcome of this war will directly impact the security of Finland and all of Europe, and that direct negotiations are needed to end it. Støre added that the suffering and destruction will affect entire generations, so they stressed the importance of de-escalation during the call.
Focus on the Abu Dhabi meeting
Stubb and Støre discussed with Putin the outcomes of last week's meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US mediator Steve Witkoff. After that, Witkoff spoke with Putin, and the parties agreed to resume trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the US. A significant portion of the phone call was dedicated to this upcoming meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Both leaders emphasized that they consulted with Ukraine before the call and clearly stand on Kyiv's side. Furthermore, they spoke on their own behalf, not on behalf of all of Europe.
What the Kremlin says
After the call, Putin stated that the Abu Dhabi meeting in the first half of November would discuss the security of Russia and Ukraine following a complete cessation of hostilities. According to him, Russia's interests must also be taken into account for peace. The Kremlin also reported that Putin accused EU and NATO countries of a so-called "confrontational policy" that prolongs the war. According to the Kremlin, the parties agreed to maintain direct phone contact.
Zelenskyy in touch, Denmark is skeptical
Kyiv reported that after speaking with Putin, Zelenskyy himself talked to Stubb and Støre. Stubb confirmed this on social media and assured that Finland and Norway will continue to support Ukraine and make efforts for a lasting peace.
Meanwhile, Denmark reacted critically to the initiative. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster DR that she views the call to Putin "very skeptically" and that the initiative itself was not coordinated with other partners. She sees no signs that Russia wants peace with Europe and urged Europeans to act together, not individually. Støre, for his part, assured that all partners and allies were informed about the conversation in advance.
What this means for Ukrainians in Germany
For Ukrainians living in Germany, this news is a signal that the diplomatic process surrounding the end of the war is picking up pace. Much will depend on the November talks in Abu Dhabi, including further decisions by European governments regarding support for Ukraine and the status of refugees. Meanwhile, the positions of the parties remain far apart, and Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities.
Based on materials from tagesschau.de (27.10.2026).