According to the newspaper, Niinisto, "clearly slightly indignant," replied by asking: "Who has criticized me?…apart from exactly one Estonian minister" who had not consulted with his own president, and "a couple of so-called experts…But that doesn't mean the world was aghast at my visit," the president noted. Niinisto emphasized the importance of continued communication and discussion between Helsinki and Moscow, stressing that after all, "we are neighbors."
Niinisto referred back to his trip last August to meet with Vladimir Putin in Sochi to discuss trade and economic relations, as well as the situation in Ukraine, noting that that visit was approved by UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon.
During his meeting with reporters, the president also voiced his concern over rising tensions between Russia and NATO and "the build-up of arms right on our doorstep," emphasizing at the same time that he does not believe that Finland itself is in danger. The president voiced his hopes that the diplomatic lines of communication remain open between Russia and the NATO countries.
Niinesto is set to visit Moscow on Tuesday, accepting Vladimir Putin's invitation for talks on bilateral cooperation in trade, as well as pressing international problems and issues in the cultural and humanitarian spheres.
