Putin may not want peace, warns Norwegian leader who spoke to him

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spent months secretly preparing a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, convinced that the Trump administration should not be the only Western voice in direct contact with the Kremlin, Politico reported. After consulting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the two leaders held a 90-minute call with Putin on October 27 at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. They conveyed Kyiv's position and discussed the negotiations scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi. Putin promised to prepare the Russian delegation, yet Støre remained unconvinced that the Kremlin is genuinely prepared for a peace agreement. The Finnish and Norwegian sides do not anticipate any significant progress in Abu Dhabi.

The initiative has sparked disagreements among European allies. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized the move, saying such decisions must be coordinated with allies. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also expressed concern about the possible consequences of separate negotiations with Moscow for Europe's united position. Representatives of Lithuania and Estonia were also critical. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Politico that European states should not try to act as mediators in an effort to win the favor of the Russian leadership.

Støre rejected accusations of violating diplomatic coordination. According to him, Finland and Norway consulted with their partners but were not required to obtain permission from all European states to hold the talks. He said representatives of Denmark, France, Germany and the United States had allegedly been informed in advance about the planned contact with the Kremlin. However, some allies remained dissatisfied because they had no opportunity to influence the decision.

One of the main reasons for the initiative was European politicians' concern over Washington's dominance in the negotiation process. According to the Norwegian prime minister, despite active support for Ukraine from European states, the United States remains effectively the only Western voice in direct contact with Moscow. Politico's sources among European officials acknowledge they increasingly doubt the administration of US President Donald Trump is ready to fully take Ukraine's interests and European security into account when reaching agreements with Russia. Despite the conversation, there was no significant change in Moscow's position. Støre acknowledged that Putin had not demonstrated a convincing readiness for compromise. These disagreements are expected to be a topic at the meeting of European leaders in Dublin this week. France intends to send representatives to the Abu Dhabi talks to represent the position of European states.