Putin backs Nordic leaders' call with him, warns war with Europe would have no winners

Russian President Vladimir Putin defended Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for calling him on October 27, saying their outreach was justified despite criticism from other European leaders.

Speaking at a press conference following the Russia-Africa summit on Thursday, October 29, Putin confirmed the conversation took place at the Nordic leaders' initiative and covered a broad range of issues. He said some Europeans seek constructive dialogue rather than Russia's strategic defeat, and that is why the call was right.

The same day, the Kremlin ruled out European participation in the following month's Abu Dhabi negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the United States.

Putin also issued a direct warning: a war between Russia and Europe would have "no winners." He claimed the West had failed to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia and was unlikely to do so by 2030.

The remarks came as European governments accelerated military preparations. Germany's elite KSK special forces began training for conventional warfare with Russia, shifting from their traditional focus on hostage rescue and counterterrorism, according to Brigadier General Andreas Kuhne.

The October 27 call had drawn a mixed reaction from Ukraine's European allies, particularly other Nordic countries who said it had not been coordinated with them.