Original Coverage & Source Attribution: news.az
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the war in Ukraine, prospects for peace negotiations and regional security during a phone call Tuesday with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the Kremlin said.
According to Russian state news agency TASS, Stubb and Støre initiated the call. Putin outlined his assessment of the battlefield situation and reiterated Moscow’s position on what it considers the underlying causes of the war, RBC Ukraine reported.
The Kremlin said Putin argued that a just and lasting peace in Ukraine would be possible only if Russia’s interests were taken into account. It also said he welcomed an agreement to hold peace talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi.
The Russian president briefed the two leaders on what the Kremlin described as a US-mediated humanitarian operation in the Oleshky area. He also accused NATO countries and the European Union of pursuing a confrontational policy that, Moscow claims, is prolonging the war.
The leaders also discussed security in the Baltic Sea and northern Europe. According to the Kremlin, they reaffirmed the importance of complying with international maritime law and respecting freedom of navigation.
At the end of the conversation, Putin, Stubb and Støre agreed to maintain direct contact by phone.
Before the call, the Finnish and Norwegian leaders had consulted with Kyiv to convey Ukraine’s position ahead of the planned peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also in contact with European partners during the discussions, presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said.
The Kremlin’s account reflects the Russian side’s description of the conversation. The information provided did not include independent confirmation of all the statements attributed to the participants.
News.Az
By Aysel Mammadzada
