Leaders of Finland and Norway talk to Putin

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a joint call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as part of international efforts to secure an end to the war in Ukraine.

“The discussion was frank and substantive,” said Stubb said in a statement after the call. “We are neighboring 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.”

The two leaders — who are firm allies of Ukraine — were not speaking as official representatives of Europe as a whole. The call was held in consultation with Ukraine.

Støre said the European leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation in the call with Putin. “The war comes with enormous human and material costs. The suffering and destruction will impact generations,” he added.

Their conversation comes at a highly sensitive moment as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a peace deal. Talks between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine are planned to take place in Abu Dhabi next month.

Europe is living in a new ‘era of darkness,’ Finland’s Stubb warns

The Finnish president says Europe needs new security structures to keep peace in this “a dog-eat-dog world.”

Drone hits another ship in Black Sea near Romania, killing at least 1 sailor

President Nicușor Dan said the incident was part of Russia’s “escalation” of the war in Ukraine.

Talking to Putin: Europe seeks a negotiator-in-chief for Ukraine

European officials know they need to be able to speak to Russia’s leader directly. The problem is choosing who should do it.

Europeans worry Trump just likes Putin more than Zelenskyy

After 20 months of upheaval in transatlantic relations, EU officials fear the U.S. president dislikes Ukraine’s leader too much to push for a fair peace.