Zelensky defends talks with Putin. European leaders divided

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended Finnish and Norwegian leaders for their recent phone call with Vladimir Putin, emphasizing prior agreement with Kyiv. While Zelensky praised their initiative, criticism arose from Denmark and Sweden, who expressed concerns about unity in Europe. Italy called for a unified European representative for negotiations with Russia, highlighting the need for a consistent approach. The European Commission noted that the call was a bilateral matter, with ongoing negotiations at various levels. The conversation aimed to encourage de-escalation ahead of upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi.