UPDATE - Finnish President In Sochi Greets Putin In Russian, Russian President Replies In Finnish

SOCHI (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd August, 2018) Finnish President Sauli Niinisto greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin at the talks in Sochi, in Russian.

"Thank you so much. Sochi and the sun, it's almost the same thing. It's nice to come here," Niinisto said.

Putin in turn thanked him in Finnish.

The Russian president also thanked his Finnish counterpart for organizing his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Helsinki.

"Just recently I had the pleasure of being in Helsinki, where we met with the president of the United States. I want to thank you once again for the hospitality and for the very good organization of our work," Putin said during the bilateral meeting.

Niinisto said that the two countries had good opportunities to enhance cooperation in the environmental protection area.

"As neighboring states, we have many common causes. You've already mentioned economy. Thank you for your aspiration to engage in the Arctic issues, we've already discussed it as well. As neighbors, we also share the environment. We have good opportunities to enhance cooperation in this area," he said.

Niinisto also voiced his hope for a "good result" of the meeting, namely, in the "disarmament issue."