Finnish President says call with Putin was prepared jointly with Ukraine

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has stated that the phone conversation he and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on 27 October took place in cooperation with Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Finnish broadcaster Yle

Details: Stubb spoke about the conversation ahead of his address to the Nordic Council in the parliament.

The Finnish president noted that the conversation had lasted about an hour and a half and was a continuation of the meeting in Oslo held on 20 October, adding that it had been conducted in cooperation with Ukraine.

He also pointed out that key allies had been informed about the call in advance. Specifically, all the Nordic Council countries were notified beforehand and briefed on the contents of the conversation afterwards.

Stubb noted that following the call, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also been provided with an approximately 30-minute report on how it went. Stubb added that they had discussed key issues and messages agreed upon the evening before the call.

The Finnish president also gave a brief description of the nature of the conversation with Putin, characterising it as professional and direct.

In addition, he justified the need for the call, explaining that he and Prime Minister Støre had considered it important for border states like Finland and Norway to clarify issues that could lead to misunderstandings. They also wanted to convey direct messages to the Russian leader from the perspective of the Nordic countries, particularly Finland and Norway.

Stubb emphasised that Norway and Finland would continue to support Ukraine and make efforts to achieve a lasting and just peace.

He stated that the path had now been paved for a meeting involving the US, Ukraine, Russia and European countries, which is set to take place in Abu Dhabi in November.

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. Stubb described the discussion as "frank and substantive".
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Stubb and Støre had clearly told Putin about the need for real de-escalatory steps regarding Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated she was highly sceptical of the results of the call. According to Frederiksen, this conversation had not been coordinated with other European countries.

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