Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre challenged a Financial Times account on October 28 suggesting that Vladimir Putin had devoted a substantial portion of a telephone conversation with Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb to medieval Slavic history. The three leaders spoke on October 27.
In an interview with Norway's VG, Støre said Putin discussed developments in Europe since 2014 rather than giving a lengthy historical account. Finland, speaking on behalf of both countries, asked the Financial Times to issue a correction. The newspaper told VG that it stood by its reporting and would not change the article.
Støre defended the need for direct European contact with Moscow over the war in Ukraine. He said European countries should be able to communicate their positions to the Russian leadership even while their disagreements remain.