Recent Putin and Trump meeting costs Finland €1.7 million more than expected
The expenses for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump increased from €4 million to €5.7 million, following amendments to the country's budget for 2018, according to an update posted to the Finnish government’s website.
The expenses include the remuneration of police, border guard, defense forces and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The message did not specify what allocations each department received or whether they were increased.
In July 2018, shortly after the meeting between Putin and Trump in Helsinki, Finnish authorities estimated the costs at €4 million. At that time, more than €2.7 million went to the Interior Ministry for police and border services, the army received about €400,000 and diplomats received €1 million.
Most of the expenses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs went to the rental of the Finland Palace and its operation. Another €250,000 paid for the accommodation of the US delegation in hotels and the American President in the Finnish President’s guest residence.