“I studied modern history in the late 1980s. And I was fascinated by the history of Russia and the Soviet Union of the 20th century. I felt that I should master the language and began to study it, ”Youhannesson told RIA Novosti on the margins of the International Arctic Forum.
He added that he only had to study Russian for a year.
“But it’s on my agenda to do Russian again when I have time in the future,” said Youhannesson.
Earlier, the President of Iceland, speaking at a plenary meeting of the V International Arctic Forum "The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue", addressed the hall in Russian.
He said that "there is nothing more expensive on this earth than true friendship." Youhannesson noted that he had taught Russian many years ago and had forgotten almost everything, but he still remembers these words.