Finland’s president’s office said on Tuesday that he and Norway’s prime minister held talks by phone with Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine, a call that Western European leaders have largely avoided since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in Esfand 1400.

In a statement, Alexander Stubb wrote: “The conversation was frank and substantive. We are neighboring countries of Russia. The outcome of this war has a direct impact on our security and broader security in Europe. Ending the war requires direct dialogue.”

Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre met last week in Oslo with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, and Volodymyr Zelensky, one day before Witkoff and Putin met in Saint Petersburg. After this meeting, the Kremlin announced Russia’s readiness to resume peace talks with U.S. mediation next month, the first round after nine months.

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