A 90-minute call between Finland’s president, Alexander Stubbb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, has caused rare divisions among Nordic countries. The prime ministers of Denmark and Sweden questioned the diplomatic initiative, voicing doubts that Moscow is ready for peace.
The call was initiated by Stubb and Stére, who had recently organised a round of peace talks in Oslo. During communication, they urged Putin to end Ukraine’s full-scale occupation and engage in serious negotiations on reaching a lasting peace agreement.
The execution was direct and conservative, Stubbb said, stressing that the outcome of the war would directly affect the security of Finland and all of Europe. According to him, the outcome of the war requires direct talks.
Even Stére said the importance of lowering tensions was highlighted during the call. The announcement after the conversation was clarified that the two leaders spoke on behalf of their countries and not on behalf of Europe as a whole.
Immediately after the call, Stubb and Stére contacted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked them for their active support, transmits Telegrafi.
However, the initiative was met with criticism by Danish Prime Minister Mattte Fredericsen. She argued that escalation of Russian actions against Ukraine shows Moscow is not serious in diplomacy efforts.
I am very skeptical about this independent initiative of Norway and Finland. She wasn’t coordinated with any of us, Frederick said.
She said she sees no indication that Russia wants peace with Europe, citing both the war in Ukraine and what it described as daily hybrid warfare. Frederiksen also questioned the effectiveness of the call, comparing it with previous efforts of leaders who have acted independently of European partners, including former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow.
I really don’t know what they think they can accomplish with this, she said, stressing that European countries should maintain unity in their attitude towards Russia.
Swedish Prime Minister Wolf Krittersson expressed more restraint, but also raised doubts about the effect of the talks. According to him, the impression is that everyone wants peace besides Putin, so expectations of this kind of direct communication are low.
Kristersson warned that the talks that are at risk of dividing the European stance may be problematic, but added that he still does not know what is specifically discussed. He stressed that any conversation that makes Russia more ready for fair peace, under the conditions of Ukraine, is positive.
In response to the criticism, St.ère argued that Europe should communicate with Russia to meet the American administration’s messages, which has a different approach to war.
Stubbb, Stére, Frederiksen and Christersson were in Helsinki for a meeting of the Nordic Council. The clash between them is seen as significant, since the four countries usually take a common stand for the Russian war in Ukraine. They are among Kyev’s biggest bilateral donors and vocal supporters of increasingly severe sanctions on Moscow. /Telegraphy/