Putin holds calls with Norway and Finland leaders on Ukraine settlement and regional security

At the initiative of Oslo and Helsinki, Putin held telephone talks with the leaders of Norway and Finland, discussing strategic aspects of the Ukrainian settlement and regional security. The parties agreed to maintain direct contacts and reaffirmed the importance of adhering to international maritime law in the Baltic and Northern European regions. Key outcomes and statements: ▪️ The participants welcomed the upcoming peace talks on Ukraine to be held in Abu Dhabi. ▪️ The Russian leader stressed that a long-term peace is possible only if Russia's interests are taken into account, and that the confrontational policies of NATO and the EU only prolong the crisis. ▪️ Putin separately informed his European counterparts about the progress of the humanitarian operation in the Kherson region, taking place with U.S. mediation.