In brief

• Finnish and Norwegian leaders spoke with Vladimir Putin on October 27 regarding the end of the war in Ukraine.
• The leaders discussed preparing for a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia, slated for November.
• Nordic leaders stressed the need for Russia to halt attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
• Finland and Norway highlighted their specific security interests due to their proximity to Russia.

Nordic Leaders Call Putin

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a joint telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on October 27 (Росія, Україна та США відновлять переговори в Абу-Дабі у листопаді — Кремль – Suspilne). The discussion covered the conclusion of the war in Ukraine and the arrangements for trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. Stubb and Støre initiated the call after consulting with the Ukrainian side. The leaders contacted Putin from Helsinki.

Message on Energy Strikes

During the call, the Nordic leaders conveyed Kyiv's stance ahead of the anticipated meeting and stressed the need to stop attacks on Ukraine's energy sector (Путін заговорив із європейськими лідерами про мир в Україні: усі подробиці несподіваних переговорів – TSN) (Путіну передали важливе послання від України: Зеленський розкрив несподівані деталі переговорів – TSN). Zelensky said Stubb and Støre told Putin that concrete steps toward de-escalation concerning Ukraine's energy and infrastructure were required (Зеленський розповів деталі розмови з лідерами Фінляндії та Норвегії після їхнього дзвінка Путіну – Українська правда). Stubb described the exchange as frank and substantial, saying the end of the war directly affects the security of European countries.

Trilateral Meeting Planned for November

Zelensky reported that the leaders also addressed preparations for a trilateral meeting involving Ukrainian, American, and Russian delegations, scheduled for November. The Kremlin said the Ukrainian and Russian sides are expected to resume discussions in Abu Dhabi in November.

Security Interests of Neighbouring States

Zelensky said that Finland and Norway, which share borders with Russia, have a specific interest in secure and reliable arrangements. The parties also examined possible formats for cooperation with European partners to strengthen diplomacy and shared security (Зеленський обговорив зі Стуббом і Стере результати їхньої розмови з Путіним і підготовку тристоронньої зустрічі – Espreso) (Зеленський розповів, що лідери Фінляндії та Норвегії сказали Путіну під час розмови – Європейська правда).

Positions Remain Far Apart

Zelensky said peace must be achieved, de-escalation is necessary, and Russia must stop delaying the conflict. Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said the conversation was ongoing and that specific details would not be disclosed for now. The Kremlin, citing a request from the Finnish and Norwegian leaders, said the parties discussed resolving the war against Ukraine and attributed the prolongation of the conflict to the confrontational policies of NATO and the EU (Volodymyras Zelenskis kalbėjosi su suomių ir norvegų lyderiais po jų pokalbio su Vladimiru Putinu – 15min.lt). Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed skepticism about the initiative taken by the Finnish and Norwegian leaders.