Norway’s prime minister defended a trilateral call with President Putin and Finland’s president, saying the aim was to ensure Russia hears Europe’s perspective alongside the US. He said Norway pushed for de‑escalation measures including halting strikes on Russian and Ukrainian energy infrastructure and stopping attacks on ships carrying Ukrainian grain, and sought prisoner exchanges. On prospects for peace without territorial concessions, he noted Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukraine

Norway’s prime minister defended a trilateral call with President Putin and Finland’s president, saying the aim was to ensure Russia hears Europe’s perspective alongside the US. He said Norway pushed for de‑escalation measures including halting strikes on Russian and Ukrainian energy infrastructure and stopping attacks on ships carrying Ukrainian grain, and sought prisoner exchanges. On prospects for peace without territorial concessions, he noted Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukraine and said Ukraine will not sign an agreement formally acknowledging lost territory; whether Kyiv could accept the current frontline as a negotiation starting point is open, and the crucial question is what security guarantees Ukraine would receive — an issue Putin also acknowledged. Foreign Minister Lavrov said the call produced no new progress and accused European countries of seeking a role in negotiations.