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A call between Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre lasted nearly 90 minutes, rather than the planned half hour, according to Financial Times sources. Donald Trump said a summit with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could happen “very soon,” while Zelensky said discussions in Abu Dhabi may address de-escalation, prisoners and a possible leaders’ meeting.
A call between Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre lasted nearly 90 minutes, although it was scheduled for 30, as the Russian president discussed the history of the Slavs and the roots of the war in Ukraine, according to Financial Times sources. The account comes as U.S. President Donald Trump says a meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could take place “very soon,” while the possible venue, timing and agenda remain unsettled.
Zelensky said the call between Putin and the two European leaders left him with “a sense that the Russians are serious about meeting in Abu Dhabi.” He described the proposed talks as a chance to address de-escalation in the energy sector and at sea, as well as the exchange and return of prisoners. He said participants also hope to discuss how a meeting among the leaders might be arranged.
Trump told reporters he expects a trilateral summit involving himself, Putin and Zelensky to make “a lot of progress.” He did not specify a date or location. The reported Abu Dhabi discussions concern delegations, and the source report does not establish that a leaders’ summit has been scheduled.
The Kremlin’s press service said Putin “assessed the current situation in the conflict zone in Ukraine, recalling its root causes.” The Financial Times reported that an immediate ceasefire was not discussed during the call. These accounts describe the conversation differently in emphasis, and no transcript was provided in the source material.
A Possible Route to Direct Talks
The reports point to renewed diplomatic contact around the war, but they do not confirm an agreement or a ceasefire. If the Abu Dhabi talks proceed, discussions on energy and maritime de-escalation and prisoner returns could produce limited steps even without agreement on the broader conflict. The proposed leaders’ meeting would be a separate, higher-level development.
Who represents Europe is also contested. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized Stubb and Støre for speaking with Putin without coordinating the initiative with other EU countries. Stubb responded that the two leaders acted in their national capacities, not as representatives of Europe. The disagreement highlights a practical question for any negotiations: whether European governments can agree on who speaks for them and under what mandate.
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Europe’s Role in Russia Talks
The European Union is considering who should represent it in discussions with Russia, with Stubb described as one likely candidate. His relationship with Trump has been cited as one factor in that consideration, though no final EU representative was confirmed in the source report.
Euronews reported that EU officials also plan to join the proposed Abu Dhabi talks, with the delegation led by Björn Seibert, head of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s cabinet. Euronews said a meeting involving representatives of the United States, Ukraine, Russia and the EU would be the first in that format since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The report did not provide a confirmed date or a finalized participant list.
““There is a sense that the Russians are serious about meeting in Abu Dhabi.””
— Volodymyr Zelensky
Summit Timing and Agenda Remain Open
No date, venue or final format has been announced for a meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky. It is also unclear whether the proposed Abu Dhabi discussions will take place, which officials will attend, or whether a leaders’ summit would follow them. Trump’s expectation of “a lot of progress” is a stated outlook, not a confirmed result.
The available accounts do not include a transcript of the Stubb-Støre call. The Financial Times reported that it ran nearly 90 minutes and included a history lecture, while the Kremlin said Putin discussed the conflict’s “root causes.” The source material also says an immediate ceasefire was not discussed, but does not give a detailed account of what was said on other military or political issues.
Abu Dhabi Talks and EU Representation
The next reported step is the proposed meeting in Abu Dhabi, where Zelensky said officials could discuss energy and maritime de-escalation, prisoner exchanges and the format for possible talks among leaders. No schedule has been confirmed in the source material, so those subjects remain a prospective agenda rather than agreed negotiations.
EU governments may also need to settle who will represent the bloc. Euronews reported that Seibert is expected to lead an EU delegation, but the source account does not say whether that arrangement is final. Further statements from the governments involved, or confirmation of a meeting date and participants, would clarify whether the diplomatic contacts are moving toward a summit.
Key Questions
How long did Putin’s call with Stubb and Støre last?
Financial Times sources said it lasted nearly 90 minutes, compared with a planned half hour.
Has a summit between Trump, Putin and Zelensky been scheduled?
No. Trump said it could happen “very soon,” but no date, venue or confirmed format was provided in the source report.
What might the Abu Dhabi talks cover?
Zelensky said the proposed discussions could address de-escalation in the energy sector and at sea, prisoner exchanges and the format of a possible leaders’ meeting.
Why did Frederiksen criticize the call?
The Danish prime minister said the initiative had not been coordinated with other EU countries. Stubb said he and Støre spoke as national leaders, not as representatives of Europe.
Source: meduza.io
