Finland’s president talks Arctic, Ukraine, Iran in phoner with Putin
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and his Russian opposite Vladimir Putin have held a phone discussion touching on the situation in Ukraine among other items, according to the President’s office.
The president’s staff said that President Niinistö himself initiated the phone discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Apart from the situation in Ukraine, the discussion also covered subjects such as the state of affairs in Iran, bilateral relations and arctic cooperation.
Niinistö also reportedly stressed the importance of implementing the ceasefire agreement signed by the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed rebels in Minsk, Belarus in February.
The agreement saw the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany pledge a package of measures aimed at alleviating the fighting in eastern Ukraine.
The president’s office said that the two leaders agreed to maintain an ongoing dialogue.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: The Canadian Arctic Council Ministerial – What to Expect, Blog by Heather Exner-Pirot
Denmark: Nordics to step up security cooperation on perceived Russian threat, Yle News
Finland: Survey – More than half of reservists in Finland pro-Nato, Yle News
Norway: Norway summons Russian Ambassador, Barents Observer
Russia: “Norway has no right to stop anyone from visiting Svalbard:” Russia, Barents Observer
Sweden: Russia concerned by Finland, Sweden moves towards closer ties with NATO, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Arctic rep: Russia’s Arctic buildup not necessarily martial, Alaska Public Radio Network
