On June 16 at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow there was held a meeting of the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö with the Russian president. The main topic was the issues of economic cooperation between these countries. Vladimir Putin stressed the observed over the past two years downward trend in trade and economic relations.
According to Sauli Niinistö, low volume of international trade is caused by economic recession in the countries and a number of sanctions with regard to the Russian Federation. Putin added that the decline in prices in the world markets for traditionally exported goods from Russia also affected the value of trade.
Presidents hope for an early restoration of peace in the Ukraine and reconstruction of the former level of international trade.
