HELSINKI, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, a former secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), on Tuesday called on Europe to maintain communication with Russia to help end the war in Ukraine.

Speaking alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb during a panel discussion hosted by the Atlantic Council of Finland, Stoltenberg said, "Russia remains a neighbor."

Stressing that dialogue is necessary to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine, he said arms control would be another key topic requiring talks with Russia at a later stage.

Stoltenberg urged Europe to engage with Russia now so that it can help shape global developments.

Stubb said that the prospect of peace in Ukraine is now "closer than ever" since the beginning of the conflict. He noted that possible territorial concessions would be among the most difficult issues in any future negotiations, along with security guarantees for Ukraine after a peace agreement.

Stubb noted that Finland, along with many other countries supporting Ukraine, has pledged to take part in post-war security arrangements, but will not provide formal security guarantees. He added that the Ukrainian peace plan has been shortened from an earlier 28-point proposal to a 20-point plan.

After the event, Stubb told Finnish public broadcaster Yle in an interview, "We are not finished yet, and the most difficult questions are still open."

The Atlantic Council of Finland is an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental organization that promotes debate, research, and education on transatlantic foreign and security policy in Finland. Enditem