Norway disputes Financial Times report on Putin's call with European leaders
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre rejected Financial Times reporting that Vladimir Putin dominated a call with Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb by lecturing about medieval Slavic history. Norway asked the outlet to correct its report or publish a rebuttal, but Financial Times declined, leaving the competing accounts unresolved.
Key points
- Støre and Stubb spoke with Putin by phone on October 27.
- The approximately 90-minute call initially was planned to last less than 30 minutes.
- A translator participated, and speaking time was distributed approximately equally, according to Støre.
- The leaders discussed de-escalation, ending Russia's war against Ukraine and security guarantees for Ukraine.
- They also raised attacks on energy infrastructure, grain-exporting vessels, prisoner exchanges and a European channel for dialogue with Russia.
- Norway asked Financial Times to correct its report or publish a rebuttal; the outlet refused.
Why it matters
The dispute concerns whether the call centered on proposals for ending the war and securing Ukraine's interests or was instead dominated by Putin's historical narrative. It also highlights a direct disagreement between the participants' account and Financial Times' reporting based on three anonymous sources, while the proposed measures remained subjects for subsequent Ukraine-Russia-US negotiations.
What happened
On October 27, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb spoke with Vladimir Putin for about 90 minutes, initially planning a call of less than 30 minutes. A translator took part, and Støre said the speaking time was distributed approximately equally.
The leaders presented their positions and sought Putin's response on de-escalation, ending Russia's war against Ukraine, security guarantees for Ukraine after a possible peace agreement, and a European channel for dialogue with Russia. They also discussed halting attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and vessels exporting Ukrainian grain, as well as a possible prisoner exchange.
Støre said Putin asked to state his own view and discussed events from 2014 to the time of the call. Støre and Stubb subsequently informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the conversation, and the European Commission was informed beforehand.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes whether the European leaders successfully put forward proposals to end the war and protect Ukraine's interests. The agenda included de-escalation, security guarantees, protection of infrastructure and grain-exporting vessels, and a prisoner exchange. Reports also focus on the implications of the call for later negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
How international sources describe it
International coverage focuses on the media dispute between Norway's prime minister and Financial Times over the content and balance of the call. Støre's account stresses that the European leaders presented their proposals, that Putin responded and that participants received roughly equal speaking time, with part of the call devoted to translation.
Where reporting differs
Financial Times, citing three anonymous sources, reported that Putin devoted nearly the entire call to medieval Slavic history and historical explanations of the conflict with Ukraine rather than peaceful settlement. Støre rejected this description, saying Putin spoke after the participants had presented their positions, speaking time was approximately equal and Putin did not dominate the conversation. Norway asked Financial Times to correct the report or publish a rebuttal, but the outlet declined and did not reveal its sources.
Background
The call took place ahead of US-mediated peace talks planned for the following month. Støre and Stubb participated as leaders of their own countries rather than on behalf of Europe. It was described as Putin's first direct contact with European leaders supporting Ukraine since his conversation with Emmanuel Macron in July 2025.