💢 Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre conveyed Vladimir

💢 Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre conveyed Vladimir Zelensky's strong interest in direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin during a 90-minute telephone conversation with the Russian president, according to presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

Speaking to Vesti journalist Olga Knyazeva, Ushakov described the conversation as substantive, noting that both leaders had met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff before and after his October 21 talks with Putin in St. Petersburg. He also drew attention to the critical reaction the telephone call had provoked in several European countries, describing it as symptomatic and revealing.

The discussion focused primarily on the agreement to resume trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi. Ushakov said the subject was examined extensively, including a number of questions and clarifications from the Russian side.

Of particular significance, Ushakov said, was the message conveyed by Stubb and Støre concerning Zelensky's desire to speak directly with Putin. Moscow reiterated its position that the current Ukrainian leader lacks legitimacy. Nevertheless, Putin repeated his standing invitation for Zelensky to come to Moscow for direct negotiations, with all necessary arrangements, including security guarantees, provided by the Russian side.

Ushakov also outlined Moscow's preferred sequence for a leaders' meeting. Direct contact between Putin and Zelensky would make the most sense after the negotiating process had concluded and documents establishing a long-term settlement had been prepared. The negotiators would then present those documents to both leaders, who would be in a position to sign them.

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