The Japanese government expressed dissatisfaction and disagreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statements that Russian-Japanese dialogue was possible only after Tokyo’s stance on Ukraine changed. writes about this TASS.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the country finds Russia’s attempts to transfer responsibility to Tokyo unfair and completely unacceptable.
Hayashi also expressed criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and confirmed that the Japanese government’s position on the “northern regions” (southern part of the Kuril Islands) and the signing of the peace treaty has not changed.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin, St. While speaking to the heads of world news agencies in St. Petersburg, stated About the possibility of Russian-Japanese dialogue after Japan’s attitude towards Ukraine changes. He emphasized that there are no conditions to continue the dialogue regarding the peace agreement and expressed his readiness to continue the dialogue if the necessary conditions, especially Japan, are created. Putin noted that Russia does not pose an obstacle to bilateral dialogue, unlike Japan, which he accuses of intervening in the Ukraine crisis.
Negotiations on a peace treaty between Moscow and Tokyo began in the mid-20th century, after World War II. The main controversial issue remains the southern part of the Kuril Islands. Japan opposes the ownership of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and other islands, while Russia emphasizes its sovereignty over these regions with international legal basis.
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