Norway's Støre warns Putin may not want peace before Abu Dhabi Ukraine talks

A call that split the Nordic allies

Norway's Jonas Gahr Støre and Finland's President Alexander Stubb phoned Vladimir Putin on 27 October, in a conversation lasting about 90 minutes. Politico describes it as a rare contact between the Russian leader and two European leaders who back Ukraine. The two had hoped the move would show European resolve, but it instead caused the biggest rift among Nordic allies since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with Politico, Støre called the talk professional and rational, saying Putin had set out his arguments clearly. The episode has also exposed wider European divisions over how to deal with Moscow, with governments still disputing who should speak for Europe in future negotiations.

Støre's doubts about Putin's intentions

Støre has cast doubt on Putin's readiness for peace and on the optimism of Donald Trump, who has suggested a "big, beautiful" deal is close to being signed to end nearly five years of war. Støre said he would be cautious about what the Abu Dhabi round can deliver. He put the talks in modest terms and expects a follow-up round soon after them.

“Abu Dhabi is a stepping stone, and one output of it should be a follow-up quite soon after.”

He also warned that Europe's defences must not become a bargaining chip in the talks, and that questions about European security architecture should be settled once the war ends.

The Abu Dhabi agenda

Negotiating teams from Moscow and Kyiv are due to meet representatives of the United States in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November. It will be the first trilateral meeting since February and follows a month of intensified diplomacy and growing pressure from Trump for a deal. According to Støre, the agenda may include a Black Sea ceasefire to allow grain to be shipped safely, a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, a freeze of the front line and confidence-building steps such as prisoner swaps. Støre also said security guarantees, meant to stop Putin from attacking again, have been discussed. France has said European countries will be well represented in Abu Dhabi, with France itself taking part.

Attacks on shipping in the Black Sea

At least eight commercial ships have been hit by drones off Romania and Bulgaria since early October. Five were struck in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, and two of them sank. The most recent loss was a container ship bound for Constanța, which sank on 29 October after three naval drones hit it. Three more ships were hit off Romania: two caught fire near Sulina, one of them in Romanian territorial waters, and a third sank on 23 October near Constanța.

Bulgaria exclusive economic zone5

Off Romania3

Bulgaria exclusive economic zone

5 ships

Off Romania

3 ships

Data from the article text

Europe's divided response

EU leaders will take up these questions at an informal summit in Dublin in the week of 9 November, and few of those involved expect agreement. Behind the debate are two questions: whether engaging Putin helps deliver peace or rewards aggression, and whether the United States can be trusted to broker a fair deal for Europe and above all for Ukraine. Støre called it an illusion to expect the war to end without Europe talking to Moscow, and said Norway has good, open relations with the American negotiators.

“We work closely with our European partners in supporting Ukraine, but the only voice reaching Moscow comes from Washington.”

Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal takes the opposite view and told Politico in a separate interview where Europe should stand.

“Europe should not be in a mediator's position”