A 90-Minute Call to Putin Splits the Nordics

A 90-Minute Call to Putin Splits the Nordics

A joint call from Helsinki breaks the silence

On 27 October, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store placed a joint 90-minute telephone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin from Helsinki. According to their joint statement, the two Nordic leaders initiated the call to discuss Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to end it. It was the first direct leader-level contact with Putin by a staunch European backer of Kyiv since French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with him in July 2025. Store himself had not spoken with Putin since March 2022, a month after the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Frank but far apart

Stubb described the discussion as frank and substantive, arguing that ending the war requires direct dialogue because its outcome will directly affect Finnish, Norwegian and wider European security. Store was blunter, telling reporters in Helsinki that the call had exposed big differences in views on Ukraine. The Kremlin's readout struck a harder line, blaming the confrontational policy of the EU and NATO countries for prolonging hostilities and insisting that a just and lasting peace is possible only with full and unconditional consideration of Russia's legitimate interests.

Coordinated with Kyiv, speaking for two capitals only

Both governments stressed that the call was prepared in consultation with Ukraine. It followed a meeting in Oslo on 20 October, where Stubb and Store hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Zelenskyy's office confirmed follow-up contact with the two leaders. Stubb and Store emphasised that they spoke solely for their own countries, not for Europe as a whole, and that Finland and Norway remain firm supporters of Ukraine.

Denmark cries solo run, Sweden warns of a split voice

The initiative detonated a rare public Nordic quarrel, with the region's leaders gathered in Finland for a summit. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was very sceptical about the Norwegian-Finnish initiative, noting it had not been coordinated with any of the rest of them and that Europe should stay together instead of going solo. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson struck a milder but doubtful tone, saying his impression is that everyone wants peace except Putin, that he has pretty low expectations for this kind of direct talk, and that talks risking a split in the European voice are risky. He added that other European leaders had not been informed in advance.

Abu Dhabi talks set for the first half of November

The proximate goal of the call was to pave the way for the next negotiation round. According to the Kremlin, the three leaders welcomed an agreement to resume trilateral Russia-Ukraine-US talks in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November. The Finnish presidency said the Nordic leaders' task was to convey messages about the coming negotiations directly to Putin. Store stressed de-escalation, warning that the war carries enormous human and material costs and that the suffering and destruction will affect generations.

Baltic security and a local truce on the agenda

Beyond Ukraine, the three discussed security and stability in the Baltic Sea region and the High North, an area where both Nordic countries claim a shared interest. The Kremlin added that Putin briefed the two leaders on a US-mediated humanitarian operation and a temporary ceasefire in Oleshky. The three leaders agreed to maintain direct telephone contact.

A crack in Europe's no-contact line faces its first test

Western European leaders have largely shunned Putin since 2022, which is why this call drew such heat. Store pushed back against the criticism, arguing that in the times Europe lives in, it cannot be only the United States that keeps a channel to the Russian leadership. Whether the Abu Dhabi talks convene as scheduled in early November, and whether anything survives the gulf laid bare in 90 minutes, will be the first verdict on Helsinki's gamble.