European diplomacy over the war in Ukraine has entered a new and delicate phase. Russian president Vladimir Putin spoke with Finnish president Alexander Stubb and Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Tuesday, in a rare direct exchange that focused on possible negotiations and Europe’s security.
The conversation comes as Ukraine, Russia and the United States prepare for planned talks in Abu Dhabi in November. While Helsinki and Oslo said they wanted to communicate directly about the future of negotiations, the initiative has exposed continuing divisions over who should speak for Europe.
Nordic leaders seek a direct channel to Moscow
Stubb and Støre said the call was intended to convey messages about future negotiations aimed at ending the war. It was reportedly the first time Putin had spoken with a European leader from among Ukraine’s allies since his conversation with French president Emmanuel Macron in July of the previous year.
In a joint statement, the Finnish and Norwegian leaders stressed that they were acting in their national capacities rather than claiming to represent Europe as a whole. Both countries share borders or close security interests with Russia, making the consequences of the conflict particularly significant for northern Europe.
Stubb described the discussion as frank and substantive, arguing that direct dialogue was necessary because the war’s outcome would affect regional and wider European security. After speaking with Putin, the two Nordic leaders held a separate call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Europe divided over how to approach Russia
The phone call was met with criticism from some European governments. Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said she was sceptical because the initiative had not been coordinated with other countries. She argued that Europe should maintain a united position rather than pursue separate diplomatic channels.
Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s office also welcomed the Nordic leaders’ efforts while warning that the episode highlighted a larger problem: European governments have yet to agree on who should represent their interests in the peace process.
The disagreement reflects a broader challenge for European foreign policy. Individual governments may have different security priorities, but fragmented diplomacy could reduce Europe’s influence in negotiations involving Washington, Moscow and Kyiv.
- Denmark called for a coordinated European position.
- Italy warned that Europe risked losing influence without a recognised representative.
- Finland and Norway said direct engagement was necessary because of their proximity to Russia.
What the proposed peace talks could address
The planned US-brokered discussions are expected to focus on future security guarantees following a possible end to the conflict. They would be the first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia since February, according to the source report.
US president Donald Trump has renewed efforts to promote negotiations. Recent measures included a deal involving Russian diesel, a pause on new sanctions targeting Moscow’s energy exports and pressure on Ukraine to stop drone attacks against Russian refineries.
However, the United States has not secured equivalent concessions from Russia. Moscow has rejected a proposed pause on attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving serious doubts about whether the diplomatic opening will lead to a durable ceasefire.
Putin maintains Russia’s hardline position
The Kremlin’s account of the call suggested that Putin had not softened his principal demands. It said he repeated Russia’s claim that western policy and Ukraine’s ambition to join Nato were among the original causes of the conflict.
The Russian president also reportedly said that any lasting settlement would require Russia’s “legal interests” to be fully considered. Ukraine has rejected such demands, saying they could amount to capitulation and undermine its sovereignty.
Security and maritime law in the Baltic and northern Europe were also discussed. The reference appears to relate to European measures against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers, which western governments have linked to attempts to evade sanctions.
Ukraine calls for practical de-escalation
Following the Putin call, Stubb and Støre spoke with Zelenskiy and discussed the anticipated three-way talks. The Ukrainian president said the Nordic leaders had made clear that genuine de-escalatory measures were needed in relation to energy and infrastructure.
That demand is central to Kyiv’s position. Ukraine has consistently argued that diplomatic statements must be accompanied by verifiable actions, particularly an end to attacks affecting civilian power, transport and essential services.
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What happens next?
The November talks will test whether the latest diplomatic contacts can produce meaningful progress. Finland and Norway have opened a direct line to Moscow, but criticism from Denmark and Italy shows that Europe still lacks a settled strategy for participating in negotiations.
The key questions remain unresolved: whether Russia is prepared to compromise, whether Ukraine can obtain credible security guarantees and whether European governments can coordinate their position. Until those issues are addressed, the peace push remains an opening for dialogue rather than evidence of an imminent settlement.
Image Courtesy: The Irish Times