At a moment Washington and Moscow are seeking to improve bilateral relations, and as the Trump administration continues pressuring Ukraine's Zelensky to essentially shut-up and make compromise, European leaders are scrambling for a seat at the table regarding any potential peace deal.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store held rare phone calls with President Vladimir Putin Tuesday, after years of lack of any direct contact or diplomacy amid the Ukraine war. The two European presidents later touched base with Zelensky in a phone call as well. The Putin conversation was reportedly initiated by the Finnish and Norwegian sides, and not by Moscow.
via ReutersThe Kremlin, which feels itself in the driver's seat given Trump has lately been publicly chiding Zelensky, issued a statement: "It was emphasized that achieving a just and long-term peace is possible only if the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation are fully and unconditionally taken into account," it said.
"At the same time, attention was drawn to the confrontational policies of EU and NATO countries, which are contributing to the prolongation of the hostilities."
Stubb's office confirmed that much of the conversation centered on preparations for trilateral technical-level meetings set for Abu Dhabi in early November, involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine.
The Finnish readout said (with a hint of defensiveness), "The
