The conversation with Putin unsettled European leaders. Fico does not hide his enthusiasm, Lavrov laughed.

The recent phone call between Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked mixed reactions across Europe. While some leaders, like Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, welcomed the initiative, others expressed skepticism about diverging from a unified European approach. The call, the first with a European leader supporting Ukraine since July, aimed to convey messages ahead of upcoming negotiations in Abu Dhabi. However, reports suggest that Putin diverted the conversation to discuss Slavic history, which Støre later denied. The call has raised concerns about the potential fragmentation of European diplomatic efforts, with calls for a coordinated approach to negotiations with Russia.