Europe Faces Diplomatic Split as Putin Call Opens Rift Among Allies

Politico magazine revealed that a phone call made by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre with Russian President Vladimir Putin triggered a dispute among European countries regarding how to deal with Moscow and the continent's role in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

According to the magazine, the two leaders sought through the call, which lasted about 90 minutes on October 27, to convey messages from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Putin, confirm the necessity of de-escalation, and discuss Baltic Sea security before resuming expected negotiations in Abu Dhabi involving American envoys.

Støre justified the initiative by stating that Washington had become the only Western voice communicating directly with Moscow, considering that waiting for the end of the war without European dialogue with Russia was unrealistic, especially amid European fears of US President Donald Trump's administration monopolizing the settlement process.

But the move drew criticism from Denmark, Sweden, and the Baltic states, as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that acting unilaterally threatens Europe's unity, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stressed that peace must be achieved through strength rather than concessions.

Politico explained that the disagreement concerns not only the principle of dialogue with Putin but also the lack of sufficient prior coordination with other allies.
Despite Zelenskyy's defense of the two leaders, the incident revealed the persistence of European division and the continent's inability to possess influence comparable to the United States in peace negotiations, while Washington remains the party with the greatest impact in determining their course.

Despite Zelenskyy's defense of the two leaders, the incident revealed the persistence of European division and the continent's inability to possess influence comparable to the United States in peace negotiations, while Washington remains the party with the greatest impact in determining their course, according to the report.

The initiative came after a previous diplomatic move in Oslo on October 20, bringing together Støre, Stubb, Zelenskyy, and Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, in an attempt to return peace to its track. However, Witkoff's meeting with Putin in Saint Petersburg 24 hours later raised concern among European leaders and reinforced their fears that Washington would remain the only Western party communicating directly with Moscow, without guaranteeing representation of European and Ukrainian interests.

In details of the call, the magazine noted that Stubb and Støre discussed the idea of joint communication with the Kremlin for months and agreed to take turns presenting their messages during the conversation without interruption. They also sought to test Putin's position on negotiations, with Støre describing the Russian president as "rational" and "professional," but he did not appear convinced that he was actually ready to reach an agreement.

In contrast, Putin publicly praised the initiative, considering communication with European leaders a correct step, a stance that did not ease the intensity of criticism within Europe.