Russian Invasion The Negotiations

Kremlin: Nothing new said – Europe just wants to meddle

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb said nothing new regarding Ukraine during their conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who spoke to Russian media, as reported by Reuters.

“Europe just wants to meddle in the negotiation process,” he says.

Furthermore, Lavrov states that the “information war” surrounding Ukraine will continue and is likely to escalate in the future.

Norwegian commentator criticizes Frederiksen: “Shut up!”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is facing backlash from a neighboring country after criticizing Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb for speaking with Vladimir Putin.

In an article titled “Shut up now, Mette!”, Kjetil B. Alstadheim, political editor for the Norwegian newspaper *Aftenposten*, levels scathing criticism at the Danish Prime Minister.

Frederiksen’s criticism centers, in part, on the idea that Norway and Finland are acting “solo,” but Alstadheim argues that she is “a bit too quick on the trigger.” He points out that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later expressed gratitude for the initiative.

“So, the one who went solo was Frederiksen. If she is interested in keeping Europe united, she certainly didn’t contribute to that herself.”

Alstadheim suggests that Frederiksen “in practice” wants American negotiators to represent Europe—a stance he questions, given everything that has transpired regarding Greenland.

Expert: Talks with Putin could pave the way for a breakthrough

The conversation between Vladimir Putin, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb could mark the beginning of a serious diplomatic process regarding the war in Ukraine. This is according to Kjell Engelbrekt, a professor of political science, speaking to the news agency TT.

“It is the closest thing to a Russian initiative that we have seen.”

According to Engelbrekt, the conversation was likely coordinated with the United States, which is keen to gain momentum in peace negotiations. At the same time, the contact has drawn criticism in Europe, where several nations emphasize the importance of maintaining a unified stance toward Russia.