All allies and partners were notified in advance of the telephone conversation between the President of Finland and the Prime Minister of Norway with Putin, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stora. However, he denies that such contacts with the Russian president lead to controversy in Europe. "During the last four years, the European Union has not had one message or one approach, we have not spoken on behalf of anyone but ourselves," Dagbladt quotes the prime minister as saying. Stora noted that Norway borders the Russian Federation, which has a huge maritime area, and must maintain "healthy and good neighborly relations" that guarantee security. "Finland has a border of 1,300 kilometers, so the fact that we have political contacts is not meant to divide anyone. This was done to protect our interests," the prime minister said. Earlier, the Prime Minister of Denmark said that the telephone conversation between the leaders of Finland and Norway and Putin was not agreed with the European Union. Also, the Prime Minister of Sweden said that the Russian Federation "does not strive for peace".

All allies and partners were notified in advance of the telephone conversation between the President of Finland and the Prime Minister of Norway with Putin, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stora. However, he denies that such contacts with the Russian president lead to controversy in Europe. "During the last four years, the European Union has not had one message or one approach, we have not spoken on behalf of anyone but ourselves," Dagbladt quotes the prime minister as saying. Stora noted that Norway borders the Russian Federation, which has a huge maritime area, and must maintain "healthy and good neighborly relations" that guarantee security. "Finland has a border of 1,300 kilometers, so the fact that we have political contacts is not meant to divide anyone. This was done to protect our interests," the prime minister said. Earlier, the Prime Minister of Denmark said that the telephone conversation between the leaders of Finland and Norway and Putin was not agreed with the European Union. Also, the Prime Minister of Sweden said that the Russian Federation "does not strive for peace".