WorldThe Guardian

Norway’s PM defends rare call with Putin on Ukraine despite doubts among European leaders - Europe live

Norway's PM Jonas Gahr Støre has defended his and Finland's decision to call Putin directly about Ukraine, saying other voices beyond the US need to reach Moscow.

Jonas Gahr Støre says he and Finland’s Alexander Stubb had ‘substantive’ discussion with Russian president on behalf of their two countries only

The Long Sip
What happened

Norway's PM Støre and Finland's PM Stubb held a 90-minute call with Russia's Putin about the Ukraine war, drawing criticism from Denmark's PM Frederiksen.

The detail

Støre said the call covered attacks on energy infrastructure and the Black Sea, but acknowledged significant differences remain between their positions and Russia's.

What it means

Støre argued the call was necessary because US communications to Moscow are currently the only channel reaching Russia, and European voices need to be heard too.

Full story at The Guardian

What readers are saying

ChildfreeChloe
The detail that Sybiha says Ukraine was actually coordinated with on this call, and that Zelenskyy wants a direct meeting with Putin to move things forward, suggests this isn't Norway and Finland freelancing but part of a deliberate track. That changes the framing quite a bit.
DigitalNomad_Jess
worth clocking that støre only got 20 mins scheduled but the call went 90 mins - so if you're watching this play out, the length of the conversation might tell you more than what either side is saying publicly 🤔
win_kurrajong
Støre saying the US is now the only channel to Moscow is a fairly blunt admission of how isolated things have become.
AuntyAmir
Støre's argument that European voices need to reach Moscow directly has merit, regardless of timing.
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