BRUSSELS, November 9. /TASS/. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, in response to criticism from European counterparts over his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urged them to recognize that Europe failed to isolate Russia on the international stage.

"Let’s admit it. He (the Kremlin - TASS) is not isolated," Store said in an interview with Politico. He explained that, with Europe refusing to talk directly to the Russian leadership, "the only voice reaching Moscow comes from Washington."

On October 27, Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin about the Ukraine conflict. According to Politico, this conversation "stunned and dismayed" some European countries, with Denmark and Latvia insisting that attempts to isolate Russia should continue.

In the interview, Store reiterated that the October 27 phone call was "professional," describing the conversation as "rational." According to him, Putin perfectly clearly conveyed his arguments on the issues discussed to the participants.