STOCKHOLM, October 27. /TASS/. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store believes it's imperative to maintain a channel of communication with Russia's leadership.

"In the times in which we live, the situation cannot be such that only Americans have a channel of communication with the Russian leadership. And we, as neighboring countries, are responsible for our own interests, and that's what me and [Finnish President Alexander] Stubb prioritized today," NRK TV channel quoted Store as saying.

Earlier on Tuesday, Stubb and Store held a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Kremlin, they spoke about resolving the Ukrainian crisis, and agreed to continue to maintain direct phone contacts.