# Pragmatic or pointless? Europe divided over whether to call Putin

https://mins.news/en/item/120783

- The Guardian, 2026-10-29 12:55 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/29/pragmatic-or-pointless-europe-rift-over-pick-up-phone-putin

> A phone call between Finland’s president and Norway’s prime minister and Vladimir Putin drew criticism from Denmark and Sweden, who said they had not been consulted. European governments disagree over whether to engage Putin and who should speak for them, raising concerns that competing initiatives could weaken unity and leave Europe sidelined in Ukraine peace talks.

## Related coverage

- [Europe displeased with Stubb and Store’s call to Putin, newspaper reports](https://mins.news/en/item/119370) — TASS, 2026-10-28
- [Can direct contact with Putin help end the war?](https://mins.news/en/video/117924) — DW News, 2026-10-27
- [Putin call pits Finland and Norway against Denmark and Sweden](https://mins.news/en/item/117738) — euronews, 2026-10-27
