Russia’s backing off from peace treaty discussions is condemned by Japan
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Japan slammed Russia’s decision to withdraw from bilateral peace treaty negotiations and halt cooperation economic projects involving disputed islands on Tuesday.
Because of the impasse over the islands off Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, Russia and Japan have yet to formally terminate World War II hostilities. They are known as Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan.
Moscow’s decision to withdraw from the talks is in response to Tokyo’s sanctions implemented in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Soviet Union took the islands at the close of World War II, and Russia argues the acquisition was as fair as any international shift of borders after the war. Japan has objected to this.
“This entire issue was caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Russia’s response to put this onto Japan-Russia ties is terribly unjust and absolutely unacceptable”, stated Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Japan has slapped sanctions on 76 Russian people, seven banks, and 12 other entities, including defence officials and Rosoboronexport, the state-owned arms exporter.
