Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stora has warned that Vladimir Putin may not really want peace, and expressed doubts about a significant breakthrough at the upcoming talks on November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi, according to an exclusive interview with Politico. Following a rare 90-minute phone call with the Russian president on October 27, Stora described Putin as "professional" and "rational", noting that his arguments were "communicated absolutely clearly". However, Stora questioned his intentions: "If he had wanted peace during these five years the war would have already ended."
Stora defended the direct talks, which reportedly caused dismay among some of his country's Nordic neighbors, and argued that the isolation was an illusion. "Let's face it. It is not isolated. The only voice that reaches Moscow comes from Washington," he said, calling for direct European involvement to convey the message of why and how the continent supports Ukraine. The talks in Abu Dhabi, the first tripartite meeting between Moscow, Kiev and Washington since February, are expected to deal with possible ceasefires in the Black Sea and energy infrastructure, the freezing of the front line and the exchange of prisoners.