Norway and Finland Leaders Hold Rare Direct Call With Putin Over Ukraine War

HELSINKI, Finland — The leaders of Finland and Norway have held a rare telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking to advance diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre initiated the call on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine, the prospect of renewed negotiations and wider European security concerns.

According to official statements from Helsinki and Oslo, the conversation was held in consultation with Ukraine and followed a meeting in Oslo on October 20 involving the two Nordic leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The call is the first known direct contact between the Nordic leaders and Putin since shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to the Associated Press.

Leaders urge renewed negotiations

Stubb described the discussion as “frank and substantive”, stressing that the outcome of the war would have direct consequences for Finland’s, Norway’s and Europe’s security.

Støre highlighted the enormous human and material costs of the conflict and said the leaders had emphasised the need for de-escalation.

Both leaders reiterated that Finland and Norway would continue supporting Ukraine and called for the war to end through renewed negotiations.

The two countries share borders with Russia and are members of NATO, making the conflict a direct concern for their national and regional security.

Abu Dhabi talks on the horizon

The conversation also focused on planned negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in early November.

After speaking with Putin, Stubb and Støre held further discussions with Zelenskyy to brief him on the exchange. The Ukrainian president has continued to call for an end to Russian attacks and concrete steps towards de-escalation.

The Kremlin’s account of the conversation maintained Moscow’s position that any lasting settlement must take Russia’s stated interests into account. The call did not produce an announced agreement to end the fighting.

A diplomatic approach that has drawn scrutiny

The direct contact marks a departure from the approach taken by many Western European leaders, who have largely avoided direct engagement with Putin since the invasion began.

However, the initiative has also raised questions about European coordination. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed scepticism, arguing that European countries should remain united in their approach to Moscow rather than pursue separate diplomatic initiatives.

The Norwegian and Finnish leaders stressed that they were speaking on behalf of their own countries, not representing Europe as a whole.

Whether the conversation will lead to meaningful progress remains uncertain. For now, the call signals renewed efforts by two of Russia’s Nordic neighbours to engage directly with Moscow while maintaining their support for Ukraine.

Source BBC NEWS