Kyiv:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store after both Nordic leaders spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussion was a continuation of their previous talks held in Oslo, which involved representatives from the US, Europe, and NATO.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Stubb and Store for their active support and briefing on Kyiv's diplomatic and peace efforts. He highlighted that the Finnish and Norwegian leaders communicated to Putin the necessity of implementing de-escalatory measures regarding energy and infrastructure concerns. Moreover, they addressed preparations for US-mediated trilateral peace talks set for the following month.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of 'sound and reliable' security arrangements, particularly for Finland and Norway, which share borders with Russia. He noted the exploration of various engagement formats with European partners to bolster diplomacy, defense, and shared security. He reiterated the urgent need for peace and de-escalation, urging Russia to cease prolonging the conflict.
The call from Stubb and Store to Putin aimed to directly convey messages about future negotiations to end the war and promote peace and stability in Europe. The discussion was linked to forthcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi, as stated by the Finnish presidency.
A Kremlin statement indicated that the leaders acknowledged an agreement to resume trilateral peace talks in early November. Putin emphasized the need for a 'just and lasting' settlement that considers Russia's interests fully and unconditionally. Additionally, the statement noted the EU and NATO's confrontational policies, attributing them to the extension of hostilities, while also discussing security and stability issues in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe.
Earlier this year, Moscow and Kyiv participated in US-mediated peace negotiations, with three rounds of talks taking place in Abu Dhabi and Geneva in January and February.