MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In 2017, Finland takes over the chair in the Arctic Council which includes Canada, Denmark, Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, the United States and Sweden. Helsinki had previously announced its readiness to organize a meeting of the Russian and US leaders, in particular, in the framework of the summit.
"The prerequisite should be, of course, proper environment in international relations. First of all, tough actions should be discontinued," the Finnish president said, as quoted by the TV1 broadcaster on Saturday.
He emphasized that the proposal had been welcomed during his recent visits to Russia and the United States.
The 2016 US presidential election will take place in November.
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) chats with Russia's President Vladimir Putin prior to a working session at the Group of 20 (G20) leaders summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Turkey, November 16, 2015
© REUTERS / Kayhan Ozer/Pool
