(Finnish President Sauli Niinisto )

HELSINKI, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Thursday toned down media speculation about a possible meeting between Russian and U.S. leaders in Helsinki.

In an internationally televised panel discussion at the 4th International Arctic Forum (IAF) in Northern Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin had repeated his willingness to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Finland.

Talking to Finnish media, Niinisto said a would-be meeting had been discussed already a year ago when he met Putin, but the plan had not progressed since.

Niinisto reaffirmed that Finland is willing to stage a meeting during the Finnish chairmanship of the Arctic Council beginning in May.

"But the U.S. and Russia must both be keen to come to Helsinki, and the meeting must have substance associated with the arctic development," Niinisto said.

Putin had described Finland as "a good neighbor", and said Finland had experience in arranging international meetings.