{"id":35578,"date":"2018-06-10T16:02:57","date_gmt":"2018-06-10T16:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/06\/10\/top-us-general-and-russian-counterpart-hold-talks-in-finland\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:57:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:57:14","slug":"top-us-general-and-russian-counterpart-hold-talks-in-finland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/06\/10\/top-us-general-and-russian-counterpart-hold-talks-in-finland\/","title":{"rendered":"Top US general and Russian counterpart hold talks in Finland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HELSINKI \u2014 The top U.S. military chief met Friday in Finland with his Russian counterpart to exchange views on U.S.-Russia military relations, Syria and the international security situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting between Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Russia\u2019s chief of the military\u2019s General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, took place in Konigstedt Manor, a Finnish state-owned venue north of the capital, Helsinki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Russian Defense Ministry said Gerasimov and Dunford discussed European security issues<\/a> and the situation in Syria<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A brief statement on the Joint Chiefs of Staff website stressed, without elaborating, that U.S. and Russian militaries \u201chave undertaken efforts to improve operational safety and strategic stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBoth (military) leaders recognize the importance of maintaining regular communication<\/a> to avoid miscalculation and to promote transparency and de-confliction<\/a> in areas where our militaries are operating in close proximity,\u201d the U.S. statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Russian delegation arrives at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, in Finland, Friday, June 8, 2018. The Finnish Defense Forces says the Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet his Russian counterpart in Helsinki to discuss “current issues between the countries.” (Heikki Saukkomaa\/Lehtikuva via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Neither Dunford nor Gerasimov spoke to media. \u201cIn accordance with past practice, both generals have agreed to keep the details of their conversations private,\u201d the Joint Chief of Staff statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday, Dunford met separately with Finland\u2019s military chief, Gen. Jarmo Lindberg who also held talks with Gerasimov.<\/p>\n\n\n\t