Nordic leaders hold phone call with Putin on Ukraine's peace efforts Finnish President Alexander Staab and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Storr held a joint phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, from Helsinki. The conversation, which was initiated by the Nordic leaders and held in consultation with Ukraine, followed last weeks' Oslo talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. He focused on Russia's war against Ukraine, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, and preparations for the upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi. Staub described the discussion as "honest and substantial", and emphasized that "ending the war requires direct discussions" and that its results will affect Nordic and European security. Storr emphasized the "enormous human and material cost" of the war and the need for de-escalation. Both leaders reaffirmed their countries' longstanding support for Ukraine and spoke as national leaders, not on behalf of Europe as a whole. The call comes amid renewed US-led efforts to promote peace talks, with Russia previously indicating readiness for tripartite discussions.

Nordic leaders hold phone call with Putin on Ukraine's peace efforts Finnish President Alexander Staab and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Storr held a joint phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, from Helsinki. The conversation, which was initiated by the Nordic leaders and held in consultation with Ukraine, followed last weeks' Oslo talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. He focused on Russia's war against Ukraine, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, and preparations for the upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi. Staub described the discussion as "honest and substantial", and emphasized that "ending the war requires direct discussions" and that its results will affect Nordic and European security. Storr emphasized the "enormous human and material cost" of the war and the need for de-escalation. Both leaders reaffirmed their countries' longstanding support for Ukraine and spoke as national leaders, not on behalf of Europe as a whole. The call comes amid renewed US-led efforts to promote peace talks, with Russia previously indicating readiness for tripartite discussions.