LONDON

The Finnish prime minister on Tuesday said that his talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping focused on bilateral relations, trade, and Ukraine.

"China's support, or indirect support, for Russia is significant in that it undermines the relationship between the European Union and China, while also helping Russia continue this senseless war and killing," Petteri Orpo told reporters at the Finnish Embassy in Beijing.

"China and Xi can help bring peace to Ukraine at last," Orpo was quoted by the Finnish public broadcaster YLE as saying.

He noted that the bilateral meeting with the Chinese president focused on three main areas, including bilateral relations, trade, and Ukraine.

The talks also addressed the EU–China trade relationship, which Orpo described as "unbalanced."

China exports far more to Europe than Europe does to China, and trade faces unnecessary barriers, he said.

"We are here because China's global standing is rising ... It is important for Finland to engage with the Chinese and understand their perspective," noted the prime minister.

Orpo said he also raised human rights issues and the importance of a rules-based, multilateral world order, and added that Taiwan was discussed briefly.

On Monday, Orpo, who is in China for an official visit between Jan. 24 and 29, said Finnish companies had signed 11 trade agreements with their Chinese counterparts.

The visit comes after a few turbulent weeks in relations between the US and European allies over disputed issues, including Greenland.

Finland was among eight European countries that were threatened with tariffs by US President Donald Trump over Greenland.

On Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin his visit to China, with trade topping the agenda.