Nordic Leaders Call Putin

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. The direct communication occurred after a meeting in Oslo on Oct. 20 that included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Officials from both Nordic governments confirmed the call took place in consultation with Ukraine. The leaders initiated the discussion to address the ongoing conflict and upcoming trilateral negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Those talks are expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in November.

The statements clarified that Stubb and Støre spoke on behalf of their individual nations rather than the European continent as a whole. Stubb described the conversation as frank and substantive. He noted that Finland and Norway are neighboring countries to Russia and that the war's outcome will directly affect regional security.

Stubb emphasized that ending the war requires direct discussions. Støre focused on the costs of the conflict, stating that the war brings enormous human and material tolls. He said the suffering and destruction will impact generations and that the call stressed the importance of de-escalation.

The phone call coincided with a localized ceasefire in the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The pause in fighting began at 3 a.m. Tuesday to allow a humanitarian mission into the Russia-occupied area. The operation was brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump after she met with U.N. officials and civilian negotiators from both sides.

Up to 2,000 people remain stranded in Oleshky due to drone attacks and land mines. Food and medical supplies are running low for the residents. Negotiators confirmed that doctors, medicines, food, and water would be delivered to the city before evacuation corridors open. The ceasefire is scheduled to last through Saturday or longer if necessary.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there were no reports of violations so far. However, Russia continued missile attacks on other Ukrainian cities during the local pause. In Kyiv, ballistic missiles damaged a university campus, killing one person and injuring 10. In Kharkiv, attacks late Monday killed two people and injured four.

Yaroslav Shanko, head of the Kherson city administration, said the Ukrainian-held side of the region was quiet on Tuesday. He noted that only Russian reconnaissance drones were overhead. Shanko said it was too early to draw conclusions and expressed distrust of Russia, noting that previous ceasefires had little effect on the area.

Pope Leo XIV previously spoke with Zelenskyy and Putin to urge the safe evacuation of civilians and aid delivery to Oleshky. Putin voiced support for the Vatican's plea at the time. The aid mission is planned ahead of new U.S.-brokered talks expected next month that aim to prepare for detailed peace negotiations.