Finnish President Says Putin Gave No History Lectures During Phone Call

Finnish President Alexander Stubb rejected reports that Vladimir Putin spent most of a 90-minute phone call lecturing him and Norway’s prime minister on history. Stubb said Putin offered his account of events since 2014 and discussed peace talks held in Istanbul after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He said the call, initiated with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at Ukraine’s request, was frank and substantive; Finland remains firmly supportive of Ukraine, not a mediator. Both leaders said after discussions.