Vladimir Putin gave a lecture to the leaders of the Nordic countries about history. Financial Times Vladimir Putin devoted most of his phone call with Alexander Stov and Jonas Gahr Stora to a lecture on medieval Slavic history, thus underscoring the difficulties facing Europe in trying to defend its positions in the upcoming peace negotiations with Russia. Putin made Scandinavian leaders listen to a lengthy speech about what the Kremlin called "the root causes of the conflict," three people familiar with the conversation said. The prospects for an immediate ceasefire, Ukraine's main demand, were hardly discussed, the sources added.

Vladimir Putin gave a lecture to the leaders of the Nordic countries about history. Financial Times Vladimir Putin devoted most of his phone call with Alexander Stov and Jonas Gahr Stora to a lecture on medieval Slavic history, thus underscoring the difficulties facing Europe in trying to defend its positions in the upcoming peace negotiations with Russia. Putin made Scandinavian leaders listen to a lengthy speech about what the Kremlin called "the root causes of the conflict," three people familiar with the conversation said. The prospects for an immediate ceasefire, Ukraine's main demand, were hardly discussed, the sources added.