Jeppe Kofod said he understands Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen frustration over the Finnish and Norwegian leaders calling Vladimir Putin Former Foreign Minister of Denmark Jeppe Kofod has said Europe needs to stand firm and show a united front in dealings with Russia. A phone call this week by the Finnish president and Norwegian prime minister to Vladimir Putin, is important but "needs to have a purpose," Kofod said. "And it also needs to have a full alignment with Ukraine and, of course, with Europe," he continued. "I think it's better that we are coordinated and we stay strong because reaching a just peace for Ukraine means that we have to stick together." The former minister suggested that disagreements and grievances between European allies should not be aired publicly as this sends the wrong signal to Moscow. "So, I was not very happy about the public dispute over this call with Putin," he said. Kofod also expressed hope that the coming midterm elections in the US would herald a change of tack from the White House. "I really want and hope that the United States is on board," he said, emphasizing that diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia should be increased. "That's what can get them to the negotiating table," he said. "Not giving Russia something."
