President Vladimir Putin took to the ice Friday with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto for a light-hearted hockey match intended to show there is nothing frosty about their bilateral relations.
So informal was the match in the Karelia region ski resort of Igora that Niinisto, who assumed office in March, turned out for the Russians against a team of Finnish officials.
Certain formalities such as the playing of the countries' national anthems were observed, however.
Putin, 59, an accomplished judo exponent and swimmer, is learning to skate in an attempt to prompt more Russians to take up sport and prove it's never too late.
Last month, Putin opted against a lavish inauguration ball to kick off his third term as president, choosing instead to take part in a nationally televised hockey match.
Putin and Niinisto had met earlier Friday on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, where the Russian leader praised political and business ties that allow Russia to be Finland's No. 1 trade partner.
Russia's pro hockey team trounced Finland 6-2 in the semifinals on its way to the world hockey championships title in Helsinki last month.
Igora is the most modern ski resort in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, located 54 kilometers north of the city.
