Putin Discusses Resolution of Ukraine Crisis with Finnish and Norwegian Leaders

Russian President Vladimir Putin held telephone talks on Tuesday with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to discuss ways to resolve the Ukraine crisis, following requests from the Finnish and Norwegian sides. A Kremlin statement explained that the discussions focused on resolving the Ukrainian situation, in the context of Putin's recent meeting with Steve Whitlock, the U.S. President's envoy, in Saint Petersburg on October 21. These talks followed Stubb and Støre's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo on October 20. The statement highlighted the leaders' welcome of the agreement to resume trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November, aiming to ensure security for both Russia and Ukraine after a full cessation of hostilities. Putin also reviewed his assessment of the situation on the Ukrainian front, emphasizing that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved by fully respecting Russia's legitimate interests without conditions. The discussions also covered security and stability issues in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe, with the Finnish and Norwegian leaders stressing the importance of adhering to international maritime law and the principles of freedom of navigation. The leaders agreed to continue direct communications via telephone. Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been conducting a military offensive in Ukraine and demands Kyiv abandon its aspirations to join Western military alliances, a demand Ukraine considers interference in its internal affairs.