Norway and Finland break norms by phoning Putin directly to urge breakthroughs at trilateral talks

There is an unwritten rule in Europe that suggests no respectable Western democracy should be speaking directly with the dictator waging war on Ukraine.Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre broke that rule on Tuesday with a surprise phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at urging the leader toward a breakthrough at upcoming talks in the United Arab Emirates.“Stubb and Støre initiated the call to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the diplomatic efforts to end the war and promote peace and stability in Europe,” a Tuesday joint statement from the leaders reads. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb speak during a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Lise Åserud/NTB Scanpix via AP) “Finland and Norway border Russia,” the statement continues. “They are firm supporters of Ukraine. The aim of the call was to convey messages directly regarding future negotiations to help to end the war to President Putin.”The two leaders emphasized that they made the call in their capacity as heads of state and “did not speak on the behalf of Europe as a whole.” Ukraine was also consulted prior to the conversation.The unexpected gesture came just weeks ahead of planned trilateral talks among the United States, Russia, and Ukraine next month. The meeting, slated to take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, was previously celebrated by Støre as a sign that the Kremlin is seeking “opportunities for diplomacy.”“The war comes with enormous human and material costs,” Støre said Tuesday. “The suffering and destruction will impact generations. In the call we stressed the importance of de-escalation.”The Kremlin released a statement acknowledging Putin’s “exchange of views” with the two world leaders and said the president “welcomed the agreement reached to resume trilateral talks … in the first half of November.”The three leaders “agreed to continue to maintain direct telephone contacts,” according to the Kremlin.It is not uncommon for Russia to respond positively to overtures from the West before immediately returning to its usual belligerence, but Stubb called the discussion “frank and substantive.”“We are neighboring countries to Russia,” Stubb said. “The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and the broader European security. Ending the war requires direct discussions.”In this photo provided by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine press office, the U.S. delegation attends the next round of trilateral talks between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia on the Russia-Ukraine war Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Geneva. (Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council press office via AP) Not everyone is convinced that the phone call had much of an impact, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen suggesting it was inappropriate for Stubb and Støre to act without the rest of the European Union.“I actually don’t know what the two countries think can be achieved with this,” Frederiksen said. “I think we should stand together and speak with one voice.”U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Stubb, Støre, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month in Oslo, Norway. That meeting was intended to mend the damaged relationship between Washington and Kyiv ahead of the talks.RUSSIA AND UKRAINE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MELANIA TRUMP-BROKERED OLESHKY CEASEFIRE AS IT TAKES EFFECTA localized ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky began Tuesday after being brokered by first lady Melania Trump.The war-ravaged city has been suffering from a lack of medical aid and widespread food shortages caused by the violence. The ceasefire, announced last week, allows humanitarian aid to enter the area and carves a safe route for trapped civilians to exit.