Zelenskyy shares details of call with Finnish and Norwegian leaders after their talks with Putin

STANISLAV POHORILOV - 27 October, 12:57

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Finnish and Norwegian leaders discussed de-escalation measures in the war, particularly regarding energy and infrastructure, during their call with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Spoke with President of Finland Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre following their call today with the Russian leader and as a continuation of our discussions in Oslo with representatives of America, Europe and NATO. I am grateful for the detailed briefing and for their active support for our diplomacy and the peace efforts we are pursuing together with all our partners."

Details: According to Zelenskyy, the Finnish and Norwegian leaders clearly told Putin that "real de-escalatory steps are needed regarding our energy and infrastructure".

The leaders also discussed preparations for a trilateral meeting planned for November involving the Ukrainian, US and Russian teams.

"Finland and Norway, as countries that border Russia, have a particular interest in sound and reliable security arrangements," the president said.

They also discussed various ways of engaging with partners in Europe that could help sustain diplomatic efforts, strengthen Ukraine's defence and promote shared security.

"There must be peace, de-escalation is needed, and Russia must stop dragging out the war," the president said.

Background:

On Tuesday 27 October, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on their own initiative.
In early October, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin said he was ready to resume peace talks as soon as possible, but on terms acceptable to Russia. The Kremlin leader spoke of the occupation of the entire Donbas, Ukraine's neutral status, security guarantees for Russia and "conditions for long-term peace". In his responses, Putin also made his usual references to the Russian language and the church.
On 24 October, Zelenskyy said he was ready for a peace deal that would freeze the war along the current front line. However, he said Ukraine would not agree to recognise that "temporarily occupied territory had become Russian".
On 25 October, Zelenskyy said that a sign of Russia's readiness for peace could be an energy ceasefire or a trilateral meeting of the countries' leaders.

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