US,Russia talks begin in Helsinki

HELSINKI. – Helsinki was the scene yesterday and today day of talks between Russian deputy foreign minister and his US counterpart, but the schedule and location of the talks have not been made known. Meanwhile, Finnish President

and US under secretary of state Thomas Shannon met yesterday afternoon at the presidential residence in western Helsinki.

The presidential office said Niinisto would meet Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov today at the presidential castle.

However, neither the US nor the Russian embassies had revealed any details about the schedule or even the location of their talks by Monday afternoon local time, Finnish News Agency STT reported.

The meeting was scheduled during a diplomatic row that has gone on for months between the US and Russia about mutual actions to reduce the size of each other’s diplomatic missions.

During Niinisto’s visit to Washington, US President Donald Trump voiced his willingness to improve the relations with Russia and halt its deterioration. – Xinhua.