"It was an honest and substantive conversation" – The Finnish president and the Norwegian prime minister discussed with Putin

Finn President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre discussed the Ukraine war with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This conversation is notable as Western leaders have largely avoided contacting Putin since the onset of the war in February 2022. Stubb emphasized the need for direct negotiations to end the conflict, highlighting its impact on regional and European security. Russia has accused European governments of escalating the war by arming Ukraine and refusing to negotiate. Støre and Stubb recently met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before Witkoff's discussions with Putin.