In October, Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre took a bold step. They initiated a series of phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, bypassing the European Union's official channels. The calls were aimed at discussing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and maintain peace and stability in Europe. These direct conversations, according to Støre, were 'content, ... professional.'
The initiative did not go down well with all European leaders. Danish Premier Mette Frederiksen and Swedish interim Premier Ulf Kristersson expressed skepticism. Frederiksen was particularly critical, stating, 'I am very skeptical about this initiative of Norway and Finland. It was not coordinated with the rest of us.' Kristersson echoed similar sentiments, hoping for peace talks under Ukrainian conditions. The calls, initiated by Stubb and Støre, were seen as a move that bypassed the EU's established diplomatic processes, raising questions about the role of individual nations in international affairs.
The Kremlin, through its press secretary Dmitry Peskov, provided a nuanced response. Peskov described the contacts as 'constructive and pragmatic' but noted that they did not represent the broader European community. He emphasized that the talks focused on the Ukrainian conflict and the possibility of resuming trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. Peskov also highlighted the importance of accounting for Russia's legal interests, a stance that has been a recurring theme in recent diplomatic efforts.
The calls between Putin and the European leaders were not just about Ukraine.
Brian MacDonnell, an Irish journalist, criticized the European Union's official diplomacy, stating, 'Now it is clear that Kaya Kallass (...) remained on the sidelines, as Moscow refused to conduct talks with them, and the United States does not take them seriously either. A reasonable person might ask: what is the point of the post of the top European diplomat if, at the first serious diplomatic test, Western European governments decide to bypass this department and return to direct interaction with Russia through national leaders?' MacDonnell's comments reflect a broader concern about the effectiveness of the EU's diplomatic machinery in the face of direct engagement by individual European countries.
The calls between Putin and the European leaders were not just about Ukraine. Støre, speaking about the call, said, 'We are not speaking on behalf of anyone else, just ourselves. Norway is a neighbor of Russia. We have a large maritime territory. We need to manage fishing and maintain good relations with neighbors who will ensure our security.' These comments underscore the pragmatic nature of the calls, focusing on practical issues rather than broader geopolitical concerns.
Putin's perspective was clear. He highlighted the importance of accounting for Russia's legal interests and criticized the confrontational policies of the EU and NATO. In a statement to the press, Peskov said, 'Нет. Это весьма конструктивные и прагматичные контакты с главами двух важных приграничных нам стран' (No. These are very constructive and pragmatic contacts with the leaders of two important neighboring countries). This response reflects Putin's view that direct engagement is necessary to address the complex issues at hand.
The phone calls between Putin and European leaders in October marked a significant shift in diplomatic efforts. While the calls were seen as constructive by some, they also raised questions about the effectiveness of the European Union's official diplomacy. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve, the role of direct engagement and the balance between traditional and pragmatic diplomacy will remain a critical issue for European and global leaders alike.