Professor explains Danish criticism of Stubb’s Putin call

President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Ukraine peace talks drew criticism from Denmark’s leader. Professor Markku Kangaspuro told Yle that the call was a calculated risk: Russia could view it as a small victory, but it also opened a channel for talks that Ukraine needs.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the move “going solo” in an interview with Danish broadcaster DR and said she did not know what Stubb and Støre thought they would achieve. Leaders in Sweden also expressed concern about the call.

Kangaspuro, a professor at the University of Helsinki’s Aleksanteri Institute, said the reaction may reflect different Nordic views on how to respond to the war. Finland and Norway have previously pursued a pragmatic approach to Russia and have been concerned that the war could spill over into the region. Denmark has taken a somewhat tougher line towards Russia and does not share a border with it, he said.

Stubb and Støre likely acted independently because it seemed unlikely that the Nordic countries or the European Union could agree on a joint decision to make the call, Kangaspuro said. He does not expect the call or the criticism to have a significant effect on Nordic cooperation, noting that the countries agree that Ukraine must be heard in negotiations and decisions.

Ukraine has sought to open a channel for talks with Europe, Kangaspuro said. He argued that the issue cannot be left to the Trump administration or the United States alone. Ukraine urgently needs a ceasefire to stop Russian air attacks, he said, adding that winter is approaching and Ukraine’s air defences cannot currently prevent damage to energy infrastructure.