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A call between Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre lasted nearly 90 minutes, rather than the planned 30, according to people cited by the Financial Times. U.S. President Donald Trump said a meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could happen “very soon,” while Zelensky said talks in Abu Dhabi may address de-escalation, prisoners and the format for a leaders’ meeting.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a meeting with Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could take place “very soon,” as discussions about possible talks in Abu Dhabi gathered pace. A separate call between Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre lasted nearly 90 minutes, rather than the planned half-hour, according to sources cited by the Financial Times.
Trump told reporters he expected a three-way summit to make “a lot of progress,” but gave no location or date. Zelensky said the call involving Stubb and Støre left him with a sense that Russia was serious about meeting in Abu Dhabi. His comments point to possible preparatory talks, not confirmation that a summit between the three presidents has been scheduled.
Zelensky said the Abu Dhabi discussions are expected to cover steps to de-escalate in the energy sector and at sea, along with prisoner exchanges and returns. He also said participants hoped to discuss how a leaders-level trilateral meeting might be arranged. These are the topics described by Zelensky; the source report does not establish that an agenda has been formally agreed.
The Financial Times, citing people familiar with the call, reported that Putin spoke to the two Nordic leaders about the history of the Slavs, extending the conversation beyond its intended length. The Kremlin said Putin “assessed the current situation in the conflict zone in Ukraine, recalling its root causes.” The FT reported that an immediate ceasefire was not discussed. The different descriptions reflect the parties’ accounts of the conversation, rather than a published transcript.
Abu Dhabi Talks Could Set the Agenda
The proposed meetings could provide a channel for discussions on practical steps to reduce fighting and on whether a leaders-level meeting can be organized. The topics Zelensky listed—energy and maritime de-escalation and prisoners—would affect civilians and people held by the parties if any agreements are reached. No agreement or change on the ground has been reported in the source material.
The diplomatic format also matters. EU representatives are expected to join the Abu Dhabi talks, according to Euronews, potentially bringing the United States, Ukraine, Russia and the European Union into the same discussions. The report describes this as a format not used since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Whether those participants will meet together, and what authority or role each will have, remains unsettled.
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Disagreement Over Europe’s Role
The call prompted a dispute among European leaders over who can speak for Europe in contacts with Moscow. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized Stubb and Støre, saying their initiative had not been coordinated with other EU countries. Stubb replied that the two leaders spoke as national leaders, not as representatives of Europe.
The EU is also considering who should represent it in talks with Russia. Stubb has been mentioned as a possible candidate, with his relationship with Trump cited as one factor. Separately, Euronews reported that the European Commission delegation expected in Abu Dhabi would be led by Björn Seibert, head of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s cabinet. The report does not say whether Seibert would lead a broader EU political delegation or specify the terms of his participation.
““There is a sense that the Russians are serious about meeting in Abu Dhabi.””
— Volodymyr Zelensky
Summit Timing and Format Remain Open
No date, venue or confirmed attendance has been announced for a meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky. It is also unclear whether the proposed Abu Dhabi talks will proceed as described, which delegations will participate, or whether they will produce agreed steps. The source report says an immediate ceasefire was not discussed in the Putin call; it does not establish what ceasefire proposals might be raised in later talks.
The account of the call’s content comes from separate sources: the Financial Times cited people familiar with the conversation, while the Kremlin gave its own summary. No transcript is provided. The disagreements among European governments over representation also remain unresolved in the reporting.
Watch for Abu Dhabi Confirmation
The next clear milestone is confirmation of whether talks in Abu Dhabi will take place, and when. Further announcements would be needed to establish the delegations, agenda and whether Trump, Putin and Zelensky intend to meet directly or are discussing a later summit through officials. Until those details are released, Trump’s “very soon” remains an expectation rather than a scheduled date.
Key Questions
Did Trump confirm a date for a summit with Putin and Zelensky?
No. Trump said the meeting could happen “very soon” and expressed hope for progress, but did not give a date or location.
What might be discussed in Abu Dhabi?
Zelensky said expected topics include de-escalation in the energy sector and at sea, prisoner exchanges and returns, and the possible format for a meeting among the leaders. The source does not confirm a finalized agenda.
Why did the Putin call last nearly 90 minutes?
The Financial Times, citing people familiar with the call, reported that Putin discussed the history of the Slavs with Stubb and Støre. The Kremlin summarized his remarks as an assessment of the conflict and its root causes. No transcript is available.
Will the European Union take part in the Abu Dhabi talks?
Euronews reported that EU representatives plan to attend and that the delegation will be led by Commission official Björn Seibert. The participants and format have not been confirmed in the source material.
Source: meduza.io
