Denmark Criticized the Call to Putin: Norway's Prime Minister Responded to the Accusations

Sky News reports this.

Why did Denmark criticize the talks with Putin?

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized the initiative to hold talks, while Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that the allies had been informed in advance about the planned call.

Mette Frederiksen said she is skeptical of the initiative by Norway and Finland to hold talks with the Russian leader. According to her, this move was not coordinated with other European partners.

“I see no signs that Russia is seeking peace with Europe – neither in the hybrid war that continues every day, nor in Ukraine, where they carry out brutal and aggressive attacks on a daily basis,”the Danish prime minister emphasized.

She also called on European countries to remain united and not to act alone.

How did the Norwegian prime minister explain his conversation with Putin?

Jonas Gahr Støre said that the phone call with the Kremlin leader took place on the morning of October 27 and lasted about 90 minutes.

According to him, allies and partners were notified in advance of the planned contact with Putin. In this way, the Norwegian prime minister responded to comments regarding the lack of prior coordination of the talks.

Støre emphasized the need to de-escalate Russia’s war against Ukraine. He also noted that his position aligns with the approach of Finnish President Alexander Stubb and the “coalition of the willing.”

In addition, the Norwegian prime minister speculated that Moscow is carefully preparing for the upcoming trilateral talks between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia in Abu Dhabi.

What is known about the talks with Putin?

On October 27, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, on their own initiative, held a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin.

The purpose of the call was to convey Ukraine’s position ahead of possible peace talks in Abu Dhabi. During the conversation, the European leaders emphasized the need to end the war and continue diplomatic efforts.

After calling Putin, Stubb and Støre also spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Earlier, The Kremlin outlined its position reported on Putin’s conversation with Stubb and Støre. The Russian leader once again stated the need to take Moscow’s so-called legitimate interests into account to achieve peace, and also accused the EU and NATO of prolonging the war.