'The Finnish military said the talks were designed to prevent regional conflicts from escalating, including those in Syria and Ukraine.
Both military leaders had separate meetings late on June 8 with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.
"It is important and a positive thing that this of kind dialogue takes place," Niinisto's office said afterwards. "Finland is happy to provide facilities for these kind of meetings."
Relations between Moscow and Washington and their militaries were severely damaged in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and its aid for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
In April, Gerasimov met with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Curtis Scaparrotti in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, as part of efforts to ease tensions.'
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Top U.S., Russian Generals Discuss Avoiding Conflicts, Tensions, June 9, 2018
Context'The dialogue between NATO and Russia contributes to more predictable relations..'Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate'War .. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing' - Edwin Starr