Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Zelenskyy praised the two Nordic leaders for their help, saying he had a “positive” view of them. “We really have very good relations with these countries. They truly help,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader said Putin had been taken out of diplomatic isolation last year when U.S. President Donald Trump met him in Alaska. “Since Alaska, Europeans have also been in contact with Russia,” Zelenskyy said. “They just haven’t done so as openly as the leaders of Norway and Finland.”
Everyone understands that there have been contacts “at the national security adviser level and between intelligence agencies,” as well as talks that only emerged after they had happened, he said.
“Here, though, everything is completely out in the open: discussions in advance, a full briefing, and transparent objectives. Finland and Norway are showing that they want to open another channel of communication, so that Europe can receive information not only through the United States and Russia can hear certain things directly,” Zelenskyy added.
The question of whether — and how — Europe should talk to Putin is a sore subject for officials and diplomats among Ukraine’s allies in the EU and beyond.
On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was “very skeptical” about the Finnish-Norwegian joint call and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said peace must come through “strength” rather than “appeasement” of Russia.