Photo: Novikov Aleksey/SHUTTERSTOCK
Russia said Monday it was suspending talks with Japan on a formal post-World War II peace deal because of Moscow’s reluctance to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia does not intend to continue negotiations on a peace agreement with Japan in the current circumstances, given the impossibility of discussing a key document on mutual relations with a country that has taken an openly hostile stance and is trying to harm our country’s interests,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
There is still no formal peace agreement between Japan and Russia after the Second World War, as there are territorial differences between the two countries.
The southern part of the Kuril Islands, occupied by the Soviet army in 1945, is still considered by Japan to be its Northern Territories. Tokyo claims the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikitan and Habomai, citing the bilateral Trade and Borders Act of 1855.
Moscow, for its part, believes that Russia’s sovereignty over the South Kuril Islands is unquestionable.
Like the entire civilized world, Japan has cracked down on Moscow in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Russia has announced that it is also suspending talks with Japan on joint investment in the Kuril Islands, as well as lifting the visa-free regime for Japanese citizens so far.
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