According to the statement Admiral Michael G Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, met with General Nikolai Makarov, his Russian counterpart, for talks at the Königstedt manor house in Vantaa, near Helsinki.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP) the meeting was initiated by Russia. The military leaders discussed Georgia and other points of disagreement at the luncheon, which was hosted by Admiral Juhani Kaskeala, chief of the Finnish Defence Forces.

STT