Norway PM says Putin call aimed to convey unified European position

Norway's Prime Minister utilised a high-level telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to articulate Europe's collective stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to official statements from Oslo.

The 90-minute discussion represents a significant diplomatic engagement at a time when direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv remains limited. The Norwegian leader framed the call as an opportunity to communicate European positions directly to the Kremlin, underscoring the diplomatic efforts by Nordic and European nations to maintain channels of communication.

The timing of the conversation carries particular significance, coming ahead of what are anticipated to be the first face-to-face talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials since February. These negotiations are expected to take place in Abu Dhabi next month, marking a potential shift in diplomatic efforts to address the protracted conflict.

The call reflects ongoing attempts by neutral or non-aligned nations to facilitate dialogue between the warring parties. Norway, which maintains historical diplomatic channels with Russia despite being a NATO member, has positioned itself as a potential intermediary in efforts to advance peace negotiations.

Details regarding the specific substance of the Putin-Norwegian PM discussion remain limited, though officials characterised it as a platform for presenting unified European perspectives on resolving the Ukraine situation.