Norway and Finland Leaders Hold Surprise Call with Putin, Drawing Mixed Reactions in Europe

German news agency dpa and other foreign media reported that as the revelation of a surprise phone call between the leaders of Norway and Finland and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 27th (local time) came to light, some parts of Europe have raised criticisms over the two countries acting without prior coordination with their allies.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that his phone call with President Putin on this day was arranged in consultation with Ukraine and the United States.

In a joint statement issued after completing a 90-minute phone call with President Putin in Helsinki, Finland, President Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre explained that "the purpose of the call was to directly convey a message to President Putin regarding future negotiations to end the war."

Prime Minister Støre later emphasized that he and President Stubb engaged in the dialogue representing only their respective nations, rather than speaking on behalf of the whole of Europe.

According to the Norwegian news agency NTB, Prime Minister Støre acknowledged that European nations have struggled over the past four years to forge a unified approach toward Russia, but explained that partners and allies were notified in advance and shared the details following the call.

However, a backlash has emerged in some parts of Europe.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in an interview with Danish broadcaster DR that the move was not coordinated in advance with other European partners, describing herself as "very skeptical" about the call.

Prime Minister Frederiksen urged that European countries must maintain unity rather than acting individually, noting that Russia currently shows no signs of wanting peace with Europe.

Italy also expressed concern, stating that the call exposed the reality that Europe has failed to reach a consensus on who should represent European interests in Ukraine peace negotiations.

Italian government officials dismissed the call as a separate initiative led by President Stubb and Prime Minister Støre rather than a joint European response, raising their voices to say that "an individual clearly mandated to speak on behalf of Europe must be swiftly appointed."

They also warned that if Europe continues to act in an uncoordinated manner, it risks gradually losing its influence in negotiations.

In response to such reactions, President Stubb and Prime Minister Støre argued that nations bordering Russia must be able to communicate directly with Russia.

President Stubb said, "We are countries sharing a border with Russia, and the outcome of this war directly affects not only us but the security of all of Europe," adding, "Direct discussions are necessary to end the war."

Prime Minister Støre emphasized that countries maintaining communication channels with the Russian leadership should not be limited solely to the United States.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.