Finnish president, Norwegian premier hold talks with Putin on ending Ukraine war

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine ahead of planned negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Finland's presidential office said.

The call, initiated by Stubb and Store in consultation with Ukraine, followed a meeting in Oslo on Oct. 20, according to a statement from the office.

The two leaders conveyed messages directly to Putin concerning future negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, it said.

The discussions were also linked to upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi.

Stubb and Store reaffirmed their countries' longstanding support for Ukraine, emphasizing the need to end the war and resume negotiations.

"The discussion was frank and substantive. We are neighbouring countries to Russia. The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and the broader European security. Ending the war requires direct discussions," Stubb said.

Store highlighted the "enormous human and material costs" of the war and stressed the importance of de-escalation.

The Finnish presidential office clarified that the two leaders spoke in their national capacities and were not representing Europe as a whole.

The call came amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week that Ukrainian, Russian and US negotiators were expected to hold technical-level talks in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November.

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç