Oslo, May 19, 2025 – In a pivotal moment during an international press conference in Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre extended a striking diplomatic message: Oslo remains open as a venue for peace talks – even involving Russia.
Responding to a bold question from NORWAYNEWS journalist Nadarajah Sethurupan about whether he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, and whether Oslo could again become a stage for US–Russia dialogue, Støre underscored both opportunity and principle.
“Oslo is a very inviting city. Anyone who wants to find ways to peace is welcome here,” Støre declared.
“There are venues for such talks – that’s not the problem. Reflecting on his own extensive dialogue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov from 2005 until well into the last decade. but, Russia has put itself in a position where that is not how it works.
The Prime Minister stressed that “We have to come back to the fact that they have to accept an unconditional ceasefire and start negotiating a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine. Where that happens is not the most important part; what matters is that it should happen” Støre concluded.
The comment has already triggered responses across European diplomatic circles, with speculation rising over whether Norway could revive its historic role as a neutral peace broker – especially in light of growing international frustration with the ongoing war in Ukraine.
