Niinistö, Zelenskyy meet in Helsinki, discuss Russia’s war, Ukraine’s defence

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday arrived in Helsinki and held a meeting with President Sauli Niinistö, said the President Office.

The Presidents discussed various bilateral and international issues including Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s war of aggression and Finland’s support for Ukraine.

“We had a good and thorough discussion on Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s war of aggression, Finland’s support to Ukraine and the global geopolitical situation,” Niinistö wrote in a twitter post after the meeting, adding the talks will continue at the Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in the afternoon.

The President also hosted a working lunch of the official visit, which was also attended by Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

Zelenskyy's programme also includes a meeting with Speaker of theParliament Petteri Orpo.

Niinistö and Zelenskyy last met in January 2023 in Kyiv.

Earlier the President Office on April 29 announced the meeting of the Nordic Prime Ministers in Helsinki scheduled for Wednesday but the participation of Zelensky at the meeting was not disclosed due to security reason.