MOSCOW, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the settlement of the Ukraine conflict in a telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
"It was emphasized that the achievement of a just long-term peace is possible only with full and unconditional consideration of the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation," the Kremlin said in an official statement.
Putin drew attention to the confrontational policy of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, which led to the prolongation of the conflict, it said.
Issues of ensuring security and stability in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe were also touched upon, the Kremlin said. Stubb and Store stressed the importance of complying with international maritime law and the principle of freedom of navigation, it noted.
Describing the discussion as "frank and substantive," Stubb said that Finland and Norway, both neighboring countries to Russia, would be directly affected by the outcome of the conflict, as would broader European security. "Ending the war requires direct discussions," he said, cited by a press release from the Finnish President's Office.
The call, initiated by Stubb and Store, was held in consultation with Ukraine and aimed to convey messages directly to Putin regarding future negotiations to end the conflict, and was related to upcoming meetings in the United Arab Emirates, the press release said. ■
