German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier met in Helsinki on Thursday with his Finnish counterpart, Alexander Stubb, as well as Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP).

At a joint press conference after their meeting, the two presidents said they had spoken at length about US plans to withdraw Nato troops from Germany.

Stubb declared that the stronger the German army is, the safer Europe will be. He also argued that Ukraine must be brought closer to the EU and Nato.

During the press conference, Stubb was asked when Finland could reconnect with Russia.

"We need to ask ourselves whether US policy on Russia is in Europe's interests, or whether our interests differ," Stubb replied.

He went on to say that if the answer is "no", it would be good for the EU and Washington to coordinate their positions towards Moscow.

German officials said that they hope to learn from Finland how it arranges its military conscription, as Germany is planning to introduce voluntary military service.

Steinmeier's entourage includes the commander of the German armed forces and the state secretary responsible for armaments.

There are similarities in the two presidents' backgrounds. Steinmeier and Stubb have both served as foreign ministers and as chairs of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, they supported Russia's integration into the West and the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline.

Both presidents have later said they misjudged Russia and that the gas pipeline was a mistake.