European leaders held direct talks with Putin: what is known so far

Nordic leaders call Putin

The two Nordic leaders initiated the call, and Kyiv was informed of it beforehand. (Європейські лідери провели прямі переговори з Путіним: відомі деталі – UNIAN) The stated aim was to pass a message from Ukraine about upcoming peace talks in Abu Dhabi and to discuss diplomatic efforts to end the war and advance peace and stability in Europe.

Ukraine says the call was coordinated

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that the call had been agreed with Kyiv. Speaking with his Finnish and Norwegian counterparts in Helsinki, he said Ukraine welcomed the active support for its diplomacy and called the approach the right one. (Сибіга підтвердив, що розмова Стубба і Стьоре з Путіним координувалась з Україною – Європейська правда) (Розмови лідерів Норвегії та Фінляндії з Путіним були узгоджені з Україною, - Сибіга – UNIAN) Sybiha said Ukraine wants to end the war and has realistic proposals. Kyiv is ready for a partial ceasefire followed by a full halt to fighting, provided it is fair. He added that Kyiv is ready for a trilateral meeting in the United Arab Emirates.

Moscow's position

According to Reuters, citing a source close to the Kremlin, Putin told the two leaders that Russia does not intend to give up its aim of capturing all of Donbas. The same source said Stubb and Støre answered that ending the war must bring a just peace. (Путін сказав лідерам Фінляндії та Норвегії, що хоче захопити весь Донбас, - Reuters – UNIAN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later said the European leaders had said nothing new and that Europeans wanted to "squeeze into" the negotiating process. He also said the war would continue and could escalate. (Лавров заявив, що війна в Україні триватиме й може загостритися – UNIAN)

Zelensky and Denmark's reaction

Volodymyr Zelensky held his own call with Stubb and Støre afterwards. He said the two leaders told Putin clearly that real de-escalation steps were needed, including on Ukraine's energy and infrastructure. (Зеленський розповів, що лідери Фінляндії і Норвегії вимагали у Путіна – UNIAN) Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was very skeptical of what she called an independent initiative by Norway and Finland. She said the call had not been coordinated with the rest of Europe and that she saw no sign Russia wants peace with Europe. (Прем’єрка Данії розкритикувала Норвегію та Фінляндію через дзвінок Путіну – UNIAN)

Read also

• Nordic Leaders Speak with Putin on Ukraine; Danish Premier Calls for European Unity
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