Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Jonathan R. Hoffman provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen and Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist today at the Pentagon to reaffirm the strategic defense relationship between the United States, Finland, and Sweden.
The leaders discussed mutual security concerns, including Russia, China, and the security situation in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and the Arctic.
They also addressed a broad range of defense issues, including interoperability with the United States and NATO, the importance of readiness, the trans-Atlantic relationship, and ways to continue trilateral cooperation. The Secretary expressed appreciation for Sweden and Finland hosting regional exercises that increase interoperability and readiness and underscored U.S. appreciation for both countries’ contributions to international missions.