Stubb and Støre held a conversation with Putin.

Stubb and Støre held a conversation with Putin.

It was the first call between European leaders and Putin since July 2025, when Macron spoke with him.

Statement by Stubb's office:

▪️Stubb and Støre initiated the call. It followed their meeting with Zelenskyy and Witkoff in Oslo on October 20. The call was held in consultation with Ukraine.

▪️The purpose of the call was to directly convey messages to Putin regarding upcoming contact-group negotiations in Abu Dhabi.

▪️Stubb and Støre spoke on behalf of their countries, not on behalf of Europe. Finland and Norway share an interest in stability in the Baltic Sea and the High North. This was emphasized during the call.

▪️Stubb and Støre stressed that Finland and Norway would continue their long-term support for Ukraine. They stressed that negotiations must resume and the war must end.

"The discussion was frank and substantive. We are neighbors of Russia. The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our security and on European security. Direct negotiations are necessary to end the war," Stubb said.

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Well, it is very good that Stubb and Støre are taking on this role. It is clear why they are doing so: on the one hand, they share a direct border with Russia. On the other, Finland and Norway are among the leaders in military aid to Ukraine; their support has always been unwavering, and they are Ukraine's most reliable allies.

Naturally, this will not lead to a result. Negotiations amid explosions of ballistic missiles in Kyiv leave no hope that Putin is in any way ready to de-escalate. But Europe is at least trying to sit down at the table, and Stubb and Støre are the best leaders for such a mission.