Kremlin: The European Union is not included in the tripartite talks Dmitry Peskov has stated that the European Union will not participate in the upcoming tripartite negotiations. He described the blocs' position as "provocative" and aimed at prolonging the conflict, and claimed that such participants are unnecessary for neither Moscow nor Washington. Dmitry Ushkov noted that President Putin assured Norwegian Prime Minister Stora and Finnish President Staab that he is always available to receive their calls. Moscow expressed surprise at the European outrage over this link, assuming the leaders had coordinated the discussion with key EU capitals beforehand.