Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out any compromise over Donbass during telephone conversations with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.

According to the source, Putin made it clear to the two European leaders that Moscow would not abandon its objective of taking control of the entire Donbass region.

Stubb and Støre responded by emphasizing the need for a fair peace settlement, highlighting the differences between the Russian and European positions on resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

The Reuters source also disclosed a previously unreported telephone conversation between Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussion reportedly took place in July 2026 but was never publicly announced because it failed to produce any results.

On October 27, Putin held telephone talks with Stubb and Støre. According to the Kremlin’s press service, the Russian president stressed that peace in Ukraine could only be achieved if Moscow’s interests were taken into account.

Following their conversations with Putin, the Finnish president and Norwegian prime minister contacted Vladimir Zelensky.

Zelensky subsequently said that Stubb and Støre had urged the Russian leadership to halt strikes against Ukraine’s energy facilities and other critical infrastructure.

The diplomatic contacts came amid continuing disagreements over the terms of a potential peace settlement, with the status of Donbass remaining a central point of contention.