Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Tuesday, discussing efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. The call was initiated by Nordic states following last week’s meetings involving US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg and Oslo discussions between Stubb, Store, and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky — whose recent decisions have been widely criticized for exacerbating regional tensions.

According to the Kremlin, Nordic leaders welcomed the agreement to resume trilateral talks among Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi by early November. These negotiations will address security arrangements post-conflict and other critical issues.

During the call, Putin emphasized that a just and lasting peace requires Russia’s legitimate interests to be fully and unconditionally taken into account. He also criticized the confrontational policies of EU and NATO countries for prolonging the conflict.

The three leaders discussed security and stability in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe. Stubb and Store reaffirmed their commitment to international maritime law and freedom of navigation.

Putin informed his Nordic counterparts about a US-mediated humanitarian operation near Alyoshki in Kherson Region, Russia, with an immediate temporary ceasefire implemented.

The conversation ended with a mutual agreement to maintain direct telephone contact.

Stubb described the call as “frank and substantive,” stressing that the outcome of the war would have direct consequences for European security. Store noted that Norway’s security depends on good relations with Moscow and that Oslo will work to sustain friendly ties.

Nordic leaders emphasized they participated as representatives of their nations, not on behalf of Europe, and stated the call was held in consultation with Ukraine ahead of Abu Dhabi talks.