Nordic leaders press Putin to end Ukraine war in rare phone call

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere have urged Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war in a rare phone call.

The call lasted 90 minutes and was followed by a phone conversation between the Nordic leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Planned peace discussions between Russian, Ukrainian and US officials in Abu Dhabi are set to be held next month.

The leaders of Finland and Norway have held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to end the war in Ukraine.

The move breaks with a longstanding practice among Western European leaders of shunning direct contact with the Kremlin.

The call by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere was an attempt to influence the diplomatic process after US President Donald Trump shifted his position in favour of Russia and US ties with Ukraine hit their lowest point in 18 months.

Mr Stoere said he and Mr Stubb had spoken to Mr Putin for about 90 minutes, and then to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a joint statement, they linked the initiative to planned peace discussions between Russian, Ukrainian and US officials in Abu Dhabi next month, their first since February.

Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on how to end the war that began with Russia's invasion in February 2022, and long-range air strikes by both sides have increased this year while battle lines have remained largely static.

"The discussion [with Putin] was frank and substantive," Mr Stubb said.

"We are neighbouring 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."

Mr Stoere said he and Mr Stubb had "stressed the importance of de-escalation." Both voiced strong support for Ukraine.

The Kremlin's readout of the call did not suggest any softening of Mr Putin's position.

"It was emphasised 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."

It came as a regional truce between Russia and Ukraine around the city of Oleshky that came into effect on Tuesday was extended.

The truce, which allows the establishment of a humanitarian corridor, was brokered with the assistance of US First Lady Melania Trump.