Nordic Leaders Break Europe's Stance of Not Contacting Putin

Two Nordic leaders just picked up the phone and did what most of Western Europe has avoided for nearly five years: They called Vladimir Putin. Reuters and the AP report that Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store spoke with the Russian leader on Tuesday to press for an end to the war in Ukraine, then briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a Zelensky aide. Stubb said the conversation with Putin was "frank and substantive," arguing that as Russia's neighbors, they can't avoid direct talks. Store emphasized the need to de-escalate while reaffirming backing for Kyiv.

Le Monde notes that the call came after Stubb, Store, Zelensky, and US envoy Steve Witkoff met in the Norwegian capital of Oslo on Oct. 20, with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Trump, calling in to the gathering remotely. Moscow's readout showed no softening in its stance, however, per Reuters: The Kremlin said peace is only possible if Russia's interests are fully "taken into account" and blasted NATO and the EU for prolonging the conflict due to their "confrontational policies." Denmark's prime minister criticized the Norwegian-Finnish outreach. "I think Europe should stick together rather than going solo," said PM Mette Frederiksen.