Zelensky defends Norway, Finland calls to Putin, cites Trump's role in ending Russia's isolation

Norway's prime minister defended a three-way call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Finland's president on Tuesday, saying it was intended to ensure the Russian leader heard European as well as US views. The 90-minute call broke with Western leaders' practice of shunning direct contact with the Kremlin and drew criticism from allies including Denmark. Norwegian Premier Jonas Gahr Stoere told broadcaster NRK that he and Finnish President Alexander Stubb focused on de-escalation steps, such as stopping attacks on energy infrastructure and halting strikes on ships exporting Ukrainian grain. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the call offered nothing new on the Ukraine conflict.