Moscow / Helsinki, 27 October. Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the request of Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, held a phone call with them in which the sides welcomed the agreement to resume trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November, the Kremlin said.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk gave a provisional date of 4 November.
The call lasted 90 minutes instead of the planned 20, Støre told Norwegian broadcaster NRK, describing it as substantive and professional, with issues discussed in substance but serious differences remaining. According to Stubb, the call was prepared together with Kyiv and Washington, and the idea arose on 20 October in Oslo at a meeting of the two leaders with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. After speaking to Putin, Stubb and Støre called Zelensky to brief him.
According to the Kremlin, Putin assessed the situation in the conflict zone, "recalling its root causes", and stressed that a just and lasting peace is possible only if Russia's legitimate interests are fully and unconditionally taken into account. In the Kremlin's account, the Abu Dhabi talks are aimed in part at ensuring the security of Russia and Ukraine after hostilities fully end. Security in the Baltic and Northern Europe was also discussed: the Finnish and Norwegian sides affirmed the importance of the law of the sea and freedom of navigation. Putin spoke about the humanitarian operation near Oleshky, run with US mediation. The leaders agreed to keep in direct telephone contact. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Stubb and Støre told Putin that Zelensky wanted to speak to him directly, and Putin confirmed Zelensky could come to Moscow.
Tusk said Stubb gave him the impression that "both sides are maintaining their positions", and that the European side came away with "very restrained optimism". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the call could, in certain circumstances, influence the contacts in Abu Dhabi, but it was too early to say.
What it means: The call by the leaders of Finland and Norway was a rare direct contact with the Kremlin for Western European countries, and it took place with the knowledge of Kyiv and Washington. It did not bring the positions closer, but it confirmed that trilateral talks will resume in November.
Who benefits: Finland and Norway, Russia's neighbours, gain a direct channel to Moscow on the war and on security in northern Europe. Moscow gets contact with Western leaders without giving up its demands. Kyiv has European partners who brief it on the call and support the negotiating process.
Background: According to participants, the trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US in Abu Dhabi will be the first since February. Finland borders Russia on land; Norway borders it on land and at sea in the Arctic. Finland joined NATO in 2023.
We have also reported that the ceasefire near Oleshky began and Kyiv expects the humanitarian operation on 29 October.
