Russian President Vladimir Putin says he highly values the balanced and independent foreign policy of Finland.
“We believe it’s a valued contributor to stability in Northern Europe. And we’re ready to continue our dialogue with Finland and other willing states on issues related to improving security in the Baltic Sea,” he stated in a joint press conference with President Sauli Niinistö in Savonlinna, Eastern Finland, on Thursday.
Niinistö commented on the issue by estimating that Finland has no need to balance itself between Russia and the United States.
“Finland is naturally developing relations with its neighbouring countries. We’ll have good and stable relations also going forward. On the other hand, we’re developing our relations with the European Union and the United States. It’s not about balancing but, I think, an order of sorts that’d be good for everyone around the globe in understanding each other,” he said. Läs artikel