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Russia, Finland call for dialogue between Kiev and Ukraine regions

MOSCOW, June 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia and Finland have called for an early end to violence in Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday after talks between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Finnish President Sauli Niiniso in the city of Naantali.

Commenting on Monday talks with counterpart Erkki Tuomioja, the ministry said both sides called for "real dialogue" between Ukraine's capital, Kiev, and the regions.

Lavrov’s meetings with the Finnish leaders again proved “a high level of Russia-Finland relations of neighborliness, confirming shared desire to develop them further and maintain dynamic and open contacts”, the statement said.

The officials discussed cooperation over regional affairs of northern Europe and the Arctic, relations between Russia and the European Union and European security.

Positions "were coordinated" on strengthening the United Nations' role in world affairs, arms control and settlements in Syria, Afghanistan and the Middle East.