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Former Japanese Prime Minister reveals details of peace talks with Russia

by alex

Shinzo Abe

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revealed details of the peace talks with Russia that took place in 2018. TASS reports.

According to Abe, during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Singapore, the parties “came as close as possible” to the conclusion of a peace treaty. He noted that back in 2016 he felt that the Russian leader was ready to resolve this issue. Nevertheless, the Japanese politician stressed that the aggravation of Russian-American relations after the events in Ukraine in 2014 prevented the conclusion of a peace treaty.

The Japanese media reported that the heads of state during the negotiations discussed the transfer of two of the four Kuril Islands to Japan.

Earlier, the new Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, spoke about the issue of discussing with Russia the four southern islands of the Kuril ridge, which Japan considers to be their own. He noted that he intends to continue the dialogue in order to clarify the issue of their ownership.

As a result of the Second World War, a peace treaty was not concluded between Moscow and Tokyo. The main obstacle to its signing was the unresolved territorial dispute over the southern part of the Kuriles – the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai group. The Japanese side calls the South Kurils “northern territories” and does not recognize Russian sovereignty over them. Moscow, in turn, does not recognize the very fact of the territorial dispute.

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