Finnish President Says He and Norwegian PM Called Putin at Ukraine’s Request

Dragon Media News Desk

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Ukraine’s request. He said Ukraine wanted to open a channel of communication with Moscow.

Speaking to Finnish broadcaster Yle, Stubb said the call was intended to establish a channel of communication at Ukraine’s request. He added that other European countries were aware of the conversation’s contents.

“This was the first time the European Union received a direct message from Russia about the war in Ukraine or, for example, the situation in the Baltic Sea,” Stubb said.

Stubb rejected a Financial Times report that the history of the Slavs had been discussed during the call, calling it incorrect. He also said Finland was not acting as a mediator and would continue supporting Ukraine.

Stubb and Støre spoke with Putin on October 27. They discussed efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and welcomed an agreement to resume trilateral talks among Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November.