Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had Thursday morning an hour-long telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putinthe government states in a press release.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a brutal attack on a free country and an innocent people who are now being subjected to unimaginable suffering. I urged the President to end the hostilities in Ukraine, withdraw the Russian forces and ensure humanitarian access, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
– I emphasized in particular that the civilian population in Mariupol must have humanitarian access and that the war must have a negotiated solution, he continues.
It was Prime Minister Støre who took the initiative for the conversation, after discussing the initiative with allies in the Nordic countries, Europe and the USA.
Report reveals internal divisions
Video call
Yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Støre also had a video conversation with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Sjmyhal.
– Russia is our neighboring country. It was therefore important for us to convey our view of the war directly to the Russian president, says Støre.
– We have very sober expectations of what we can achieve, but nothing should be untested in the situation we are now in. The disorders must end. Our most important message was that Russia’s war must stop, he adds.
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– Worried
The war has forced nearly four million people to flee Ukraine, and nearly 6.5 million are internally displaced in Ukraine.
– We are deeply concerned about the great suffering the Russian invasion has caused. We must do what we can to find a negotiated solution to this war, Støre says in the press release..
Putin’s flaws: – Losing face
– Neat conversation
In a press conference at 13.15, Prime Minister Støre begins by repeating that he has spoken with Putin today, at 11.
He describes the conversation as “neat with clear messages both ways”.
– We have clearly different views on the run-up to the war, but I was told clearly that we condemn the attack on Ukraine, Støre said during the press release on Thursday.
He also says he appealed to Putin that he can find a way out of this.
The prime minister added that “this was not the last conversation with Putin.”
Støre also says that Norway is not seeking a role in the peace talks.
The case is being updated.
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