The expert on the conversation with Putin: "Has looked too negative"

"Direct and rich in content". This is how the telephone conversation between Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Russian President Vladimir Putin is described in a statement. The Nordic leaders are said to have emphasized their support for Ukraine, stated that the war must end and that the peace negotiations must resume.

Putin is said to have claimed for his own part that "NATO and the EU's confrontational policy is prolonging the conflict", according to Russian regime loyalist Tass.

The conversation is the first of its kind between European leaders and the Russian president in a long time. Several countries, not least in Eastern Europe, have thought that it was too early for negotiations and that more pressure needs to be put on Russia first.

- But now tactics have changed from the European side, says Katarina Engberg, security analyst and senior advisor at Sieps.

Donald Trump's rapprochement with Putin in the form of the new diesel agreement and eased sanctions may have contributed to the development, she believes.

- From the European side, you must now have assessed that the situation is so serious regarding the failing American support for Ukraine, at least as it looks from a short-term perspective, that you therefore feel the need to enter the negotiations on your own.

Military expert Johan Huovinen, teacher of military strategy at the Norwegian Defense Academy, also believes that the Europeans want a place at the negotiating table. The issues of Ukraine and Russia that may be up for discussion concern Europe to the highest degree. Norway, Finland and Russia are, for example, neighboring countries.

- These issues cannot be resolved without Europe sitting around the negotiating table, says Johan Huovinen.

The contact takes place about a week after Stubb and Støre hosted a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo. Representatives from several other countries, including Germany and Poland, were also present, but Stubb and Støre became front figures.

And there can be several reasons why they are highlighted, according to Johan Huovinen. The fact that Norway is not a member of the EU may help in the negotiations with Russia. Stubbs' very good relationship with US President Donald Trump may also come in handy.

The alternatives may not be that many at the moment either, if you look at the traditional European big players. The drone incident in Leipzig has worsened the relationship between Russia and Germany. France and Great Britain have provided extensive military support to Ukraine and thus also have strained relations with Moscow. It also includes the fact that France is busy with the nationwide demonstrations and that the British leader is relatively new and untried.

- Then this ends up with two unexpected actors, says Johan Huovinen.

Will it be Støre, Stubb, Putin and Zelenskyj and some American representative at a table?

- It is not impossible that it will be that particular set. And from a Swedish perspective, it is very good. Then we have some who guard the Nordic and Baltic interests.

- But what is dangerous, of course, is that in this you indirectly undermine Europe's perspective.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen did not let the criticism wait after Stubbs and Støre's conversation with Putin. She said she was "very skeptical" and that it had not been coordinated with the other European leaders.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was on the same track. He described it as "risky" to hold talks that could split the European voice.

- My picture is that everyone wants peace except Putin. I have rather low expectations for this kind of conversation, he says.