Norway's PM Støre urged the EU to hold direct talks with Russia on Ukraine

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, in an interview with Politico, called it an illusion to hope that the war will end without direct dialogue between Europe and Moscow. He proposed a role for the “European troika” and recalled the prepared conversation with Putin. The initiative has caused disagreement in Europe.

Aziz KarimovFirst published on tafs uz 9 November 2026 at 17:432 min read

The key facts

Støre believes it is a mistake that contacts with Moscow go almost exclusively through Washington
The conversation between Støre and Stubb with Putin took place on 27 October after months of preparation
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal spoke out against direct contacts with Russia

A call for direct dialogue

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in an interview with Politico said that European countries will not be able to participate fully in resolving the Ukrainian conflict if they continue to avoid direct contacts with Moscow. According to him, Europe actively supports Ukraine, yet almost all direct contacts with the Russian leadership currently go through Washington, and the Norwegian prime minister considers this approach mistaken, since the conflict is taking place in Europe itself. “Living month after month in the belief that this war will end without negotiations between Europe and Moscow is, in my view, an illusion,” Life.ru quotes him as saying.

Who should talk to Moscow and what has already happened

Støre proposed entrusting the role of lead negotiator with Russia to the so-called “European troika” — the United Kingdom, France and Germany. The statement was prompted by a telephone conversation between Støre himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb with Vladimir Putin, held on 27 October: according to the publication, the European leaders spent several months preparing this contact, hoping to give impetus to the peace process ahead of the talks in Abu Dhabi. The prime minister does not, however, expect a quick breakthrough: he views the Russia–US–Ukraine meeting on 10–11 November merely as one stage, to be followed by new contacts.

Disagreements in Europe

The initiative for direct talks has drawn a mixed reaction in Europe: Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, as Life.ru notes, spoke out against such contacts. Earlier, the same Norwegian prime minister acknowledged the futility of attempts to isolate Russia, pointing out that Moscow continues to communicate with Washington despite European restrictions. Thus, two positions have emerged within the EU: supporters of direct dialogue led by Støre, and opponents of contacts, to whom the Estonian prime minister belongs.