Stubb and Støre Call Putin, Drawing Criticism From European Allies

Stubb and Støre Call Putin, Drawing Criticism From European Allies

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Finland and Norway’s 90-Minute Call Breaks European Ranks

A joint 90-minute phone call to Vladimir Putin by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has exposed deep divisions among European allies over how to handle Russia, POLITICO.eu reported.

The conversation marked the first direct contact between European leaders who support Ukraine and the Russian president since July 2025, according to Meduza.

While coordinated with Kyiv, the outreach drew sharp criticism from neighboring states. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen voiced deep skepticism, arguing that Europe should stay united rather than go it alone.

BREAKTHROUGH? Finland & Norway Call Putin, Stubbs Reveal What Kremlin Said

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson added that peace must come through strength rather than appeasement, while Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that Europe should not act as a mediator.

Zelenskyy Backs the Nordic Outreach

Despite the backlash, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy backed the pair, stating that they truly help Ukraine.

According to Meduza, Zelenskyy had asked the pair to convey, among other things, that he was ready to discuss “the territorial issue” at an in-person meeting with Putin.

Nordic Capitals Use Diplomacy to Protect Regional Interests

For Nordic capitals, direct diplomacy serves as a mechanism to protect regional interests before major powers shape the outcome. Oslo is well aware that having Russia as a northern neighbor transcends mere cartography, acting instead as a constant variable when factoring in maritime corridors, energy supplies, and national defense.

Norway store no major breakthrough abu d
Photo: UA.NEWS

Based on reporting from Meduza, individuals close to the Kremlin indicated that Putin welcomed the conversation because he perceives Helsinki and Oslo as exhibiting a softer stance toward Russia compared to prominent Western European powers like the UK, France, and Germany.

However, Støre warned that he still sees no signs of genuine readiness by the Russian leader for a peace agreement, UA.NEWS reported. Støre defended his administration’s direct dialogues with Moscow, noting that because the conflict is centered in Europe, continental nations are obligated to articulate directly to the Russian capital why they back Ukraine.

Furthermore, he proposed designating a sole envoy or a committee of envoys tasked with presenting Europe’s shared viewpoints to Putin and American leader Donald Trump.

The Road to Abu Dhabi and Unanswered Questions

Looking ahead to diplomatic engagements, Støre stated that he does not expect a major breakthrough from talks scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi between representatives of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, according to UA.NEWS.

Potential topics for those upcoming sessions might involve halting Black Sea hostilities to guarantee grain shipments, stopping assaults on power grids, locking in current battle lines, and implementing trust-building initiatives such as exchanging prisoners. Meanwhile, the question of whether Europe can maintain a unified front while individual capitals pursue parallel diplomatic channels remains open.

More on Europe

Finland’s FM Asked About Stubb’s Phone Call With Putin, Explains Government’s Role | AC1N
“Why Was This the Right Time for the Stubb–Putin Call?” Finland’s FM Pressed by Reporter | AC1N
Stubb og Støre kontakter Putin for å motarbeide en Washington-avtale

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