Baltic officials were mostly critical of Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna insisted that “every contact with Russia must convey Europe’s unity and determination to support Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia,” ERR reported. He called for increased pressure, tighter sanctions, and international isolation against Russia.
Jonatan Vseviov, secretary general of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, assessed that the call with Putin carried more risks than possibilities, ERR reported. He warned that the initiative could undermine European unity and give Russia “breathing room,” a sentiment echoed by Kristi Raik, director of the Tallinn-based International Centre for Defence and Security. She questioned if talking to Russian leaders ever protected its neighbours, Ilta-Sanomat reported.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys insisted that any contact with Russia be backed by a united position. He noted that “engaging with Putin one by one” had never worked for Europe. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda welcomed all efforts to end the war on terms acceptable to Ukraine, BNS reported. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said that Latvia supports the Finnish-Norwegian initiative if it advances a “genuine peace process,” TV3 reported.