Leaders of Finland and Norway talk to Putin

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a joint call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as part of international efforts to secure an end to the war in Ukraine. “The discussion was frank and substantive,” said Stubb said in a statement after the call. “We are neighboring countries to Russia. The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and the broader European security. Ending the war requires direct discussions.” The two leaders — who are firm allies of Ukraine — were not speaking as official representatives of Europe as a whole. The call was held in consultation with Ukraine. Støre said the European leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation in the call with Putin.