Norway's Prime Minister does not see any signs that Putin is ready to reach an agreement ahead of the talks

He isn't very optimistic ahead of the meeting. The politician said this in an interview with Politico.

What did they say in Oslo about the prospects for the talks?

A trilateral meeting between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine will take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 10–11. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre cast doubt on Donald Trump’s optimistic prediction that a “major” peace agreement would soon be signed to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for nearly five years.

Journalists asked the politician what he expects from the meeting in the UAE. Støre stated that he is not overly optimistic ahead of the trilateral talks.

“I would be cautious. Abu Dhabi is a stepping stone, and one of its outcomes should be a further step that needs to take place fairly soon after this,” 
the Norwegian prime minister replied.

The politician speculated on what issues would be raised during the meeting between representatives from Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv. According to him, they will likely discuss:

• a ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure the safe transport of grain,
• an energy truce;
• a freeze along the front lines;
• prisoner exchanges;
• security guarantees.

It should be noted that Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb spoke by phone with Russian war criminal Putin in October. The Norwegian prime minister rejected criticism of this conversation and defended the decision to open a direct line of communication with the Kremlin.

Let’s face it: he is not isolated. The only voice reaching Moscow comes from Washington, 
the politician said.

Støre expressed doubts about the Russian dictator’s desire to end the war. According to him, Putin could have ended it during these past 4.5 years.

Well, if he wanted peace, there wouldn’t have been a war in the first place. If he had wanted peace over the past five years – seeing his country regress, neighboring countries join NATO, his people being killed, and all these terrible things – the war would have ended. So that’s one side of the issue, 
the prime minister noted.

At the same time, he believes that Putin’s willingness to pick up the phone and talk supposedly signals a readiness to sit down at the negotiating table. The head of the Norwegian government currently sees no signs that Putin is truly open to a deal. In addition, he added that sending a delegation to Abu Dhabi and the consequences of “failing to fulfill obligations” also come with “a price.”

As a reminder, back in August, First Deputy Head of the President’s Office Serhiy Kyslytsya stated that Russia is not interested in negotiations. According to the diplomat, Moscow aims to destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure and force Kyiv to surrender.

In addition, the head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Budanov, also stated in September that Russia will not cease fire at least until spring 2027. He also noted that the Kremlin would instead target the energy sector.