Norway and Finland tell Zelensky Putin appears serious about Abu Dhabi talks

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, then immediately called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to brief him on the exchange, Zelensky said.

Zelensky disclosed that Kyiv had been informed in advance about the purpose of the Nordic leaders' planned conversation with Putin and had discussed the agenda with them the same night, before the call took place. He said the initiative came from Støre and Stubb, who wanted to convey their positions to Putin directly on future negotiations aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine.

After speaking with Putin, the two leaders relayed that there appeared to be a feeling that Russia was serious about a trilateral meeting of negotiating groups planned for November in Abu Dhabi. Zelensky said the agenda as conveyed covered first de-escalation steps, Ukrainian security priorities and the broader question of ending the war.

Zelensky noted that Støre and Stubb had clarified they were speaking on behalf of their own countries, not representing Europe as a whole. He said both Norway and Finland have a particular interest in the discussions as Russia's neighbours and as key Ukrainian partners, and that their proximity makes security guarantees — both those Ukraine seeks and those Russia seeks — a serious challenge for them as well.

Zelensky said the Nordic leaders should share what they learned with other Europeans and that the agenda should be discussed with Ukraine, Europe and the United States. He welcomed the initiative and said he supported the format.