Putin may not want peace, warns Norwegian leader who spoke to him

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Norwegian leader warns Putin may not want peace after direct call

   Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin that he does not see signs Putin is ready to reach an agreement ahead of talks. Finnish President Alexander Stubb joined Store in the call. Europe is split over whether to negotiate with Putin, and the Kremlin is pushing to widen discussions to European security structures. The warning comes as European leaders assess whether Russia seeks a genuine settlement or leverage through continued pressure on Ukraine.

   Why it matters

   Finland and Norway secretly discussed calling Putin for months before making the call, according to reporting from Politico. The conversation created a diplomatic split in Europe over talks on Ukraine. Stubb has explained that the Baltic Sea was a topic of the call. European capitals are weighing whether to trust U.S.-led negotiations with Moscow while Russia maintains a hard-line position on security arrangements.

   What is confirmed

   • Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb called Russian President Vladimir Putin after months of secret discussions between Finland and Norway about making the call.
   • Store said he does not see signs that Putin is ready to reach an agreement ahead of talks.
   • The call to Putin caused a diplomatic split in Europe over talks on Ukraine.
   • The Kremlin is pushing to widen negotiations to overhaul European security structures.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Putin does not want peace, based on Store's warning after his call with the Russian president.

   What to watch next

   • Whether European leaders proceed with negotiations with Putin despite the trust gap over U.S.-led talks
   • Whether the Kremlin accepts inclusion of Europe in peace talks or maintains its hard-line position on European security structures
   • Whether Finland or Norway holds further calls with Putin
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Saudi Arabia Turns To Iran Amid Houthi Strikes, Dealing Trump A Major Gulf Blow? - Times of India Videos
   2. www.thejournal.ie — Israel election on track for record turnout as Benjamin Netanyahu attacks Arab parties
   3. politico.eu — Putin may not want peace, warns Norwegian leader who spoke to him
   4. The Telegraph — Putin’s frame of mind, according to the last European leader to speak to him
   5. The National — Can Finland's President put Europe on a path to negotiations with Russia?
   6. RBC-Ukraine — Finland and Norway secretly discussed calling Putin for months — Politico
   7. ua.news — President Stubb and Prime Minister Støre called Putin — Politico Europe
   8. defence24.com — The Baltic Sea as a topic of talks with Russia? Stubb explains his call to Putin
   9. Radar.am — Europe no longer trusts the US in negotiations with Putin. Politico
   10. EADaily — The Prime Minister of Norway has seen the light: We have not been able to isolate Russia
   11. Українські Національні Новини (УНН) — The call to Putin caused a diplomatic split in Europe over talks on Ukraine - Politico
   12. 24 Канал — Norway's Prime Minister does not see any signs that Putin is ready to reach an agreement ahead of the talks
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