Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a joint phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin

An ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine that was sparked with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022, resulting in widespread casualties, displacement and significant geopolitical consequences for Europe and the world.

Direct outreach by Finland and Norway has opened another diplomatic channel to Moscow alongside preparations for renewed Ukraine negotiations. Kyiv welcomed the initiative, but other European leaders questioned its coordination and value, while the Kremlin's account showed no clear concession.