Norway's premier defends three-way call with Putin as Zelenskyy backs Finland and Norway leaders

Summary

On Wednesday, October 28, Norway's prime minister defended a three-way call with Vladimir Putin and Finland's president, saying it was intended to ensure the Russian leader heard European as well as US views, according to the Straits Times. POLITICO reported that some European governments have criticized Finland's president Alexander Stubb and Norway's prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre for breaking ranks by calling the Russian leader directly, and that Zelenskyy defended the two leaders over the talks.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   28 Oct 2026, 10:21 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Norway's prime minister defended on Wednesday a three-way call with Vladimir Putin and Finland's president, saying it was meant to ensure the Russian leader heard European as well as US views.

2. POLITICO

   28 Oct 2026, 11:51 UTCSource ↗

   POLITICO reports that some European governments have criticized Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre for breaking ranks by calling the Russian leader directly, and that Zelenskyy defended the two leaders over the Putin talks.