Jonas Gahr Støre justifies phone call to Putin: it is a defence of Norway's interests

Diplomatic contact with Moscow

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre responded to criticism regarding his phone conversation with Vladimir Putin. The politician emphasised that all allies and partners had been informed about this contact in advance.

According to him, the conversation, which he held jointly with the head of the Finnish government, was planned for 20 minutes but actually lasted an hour and a half. Støre characterised this dialogue as a "professional conversation" during which the parties outlined their positions.

Reaction to accusations of division

The Norwegian leader disagrees with claims that such negotiations lead to division in Europe. He recalled that for four years, the EU has failed to formulate a single message or common approach.

«Ми не виступали від імені когось, крім самих себе. Норвегія межує з Росією, у нас велика морська зона, і ми маємо підтримувати здорові та добрі сусідські відносини, які забезпечать нам безпеку. У Фінляндії кордон протяжністю 1300 кілометрів, тому підтримання політичних контактів у цьому напрямку не означає розкол. Це захист наших інтересів» (We did not speak on behalf of anyone other than ourselves. Norway borders Russia, we have a large maritime zone, and we must maintain healthy and good neighbourly relations that will ensure our security. Finland has a border of 1,300 kilometres, so maintaining political contacts in this direction does not mean division. This is the defence of our interests), he told journalists on Tuesday, according to the Norwegian newspaper VG.