Putin says Moscow seeks better European ties, conflict will produce no winners

On October 27, 2026, Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store held a "frank and substantive" phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The conversation originated from a meeting in Oslo on October 20 between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, and Stubb, where they emphasized the importance of de-escalation for European security.

This direct dialogue with Putin sparked significant backlash among other European leaders, particularly from Denmark and Sweden, who criticized the move as a breach of Western unity against Russia. In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the call did not offer anything new on resolving the Ukraine conflict and predicted further escalation.

However, Putin defended the phone calls, saying his country supports steps aimed at restoring relations with European nations while also warning about the catastrophic consequences of war. He reiterated that if tensions escalate too far, "there would be no winners," indicating Russia's willingness to engage in dialogue but cautioning against military confrontation.