Nordic leaders hold telephone conversation with Russia's president for "direct dialogue" for peace talks

[London Current Affairs] On the 27th, President Stubb of Finland and Prime Minister Stolle of Norway had a telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. They reportedly discussed trilateral talks between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine toward peace with Ukraine, which are scheduled for next month. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, it is unusual for a Western leader to have direct contact with Mr. Putin.

"It was a frank and meaningful discussion," Stubbe said in a statement. ``Direct dialogue is necessary to end the war,'' he emphasized. After meeting with Putin, he also spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Meanwhile, according to the Russian President's Office, Putin asserted during the meeting that ``hostile policies of the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries are leading to prolonged hostilities.'' "Long-term peace can only be achieved if Russia's legitimate interests are fully and unconditionally taken into account," he said. It was also revealed that the leaders of the three countries agreed to continue telephone talks.

Mr. Stub and his colleagues co-hosted a meeting between Mr. Zelenskiy and U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, Witkoff, in Oslo last week. He explained that he spoke with Putin "as the leader of his own country, not of Europe as a whole" (statement).