Image: Jim Lo Scaldo / EPA

Finnish president Sauli Niinistö spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump by phone on Thursday, according to a statement on the Finnish Presidential office website.

The statement says they held a discussion that touched on bilateral relations, Russia and the handover of the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, which is currently held by the United States and will switch to Finland next spring.

The presidents also discussed Finland's centenary independence celebrations, which are due to take place next year. Trump asked Niinistö to convey greetings to the citizens of Finland, who he described as 'great people', according to the statement.

The Finnish statement did not specify who instigated the call or how it was arranged.

Niinistö then thanked Trump on Twitter, saying "Thank You @realDonaldTrump for a great discussion! Until next time!".

At the time of writing Trump had not replied - the last Tweet posted on his account was an attack on a trade union leader in Indianapolis.