Russian Foreign Ministry names a condition for the start of dialog on the peace treaty with Japan

The resumption of dialog between Russia and Japan on the peace treaty is possible only after Tokyo refuses from its hostile course. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Saturday, November 30.

"No treaty can be concluded without negotiations. As the Russian side has repeatedly pointed out earlier, the resumption of a full-fledged interstate dialog with Japan is possible only if official Tokyo refuses to abandon its hostile course aimed at harming our country and its citizens," the diplomat's commentary published on the ministry's website reads.

Zakharova noted that the only possible solution to the "territorial problem" with Japan, from the point of view of Russia and the Constitution, is international recognition of the existing border. Any other options are unacceptable.

Earlier, on November 29, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said during his keynote speech before the parliament that Japan will continue to work on solving the territorial problem and concluding a peace treaty with Russia. He noted that Japanese-Russian relations are now undergoing difficulties and the circumstances surrounding these bilateral relations are quite harsh.

Before that, on November 13, Kirill Kotkov, head of the Center for the Study of the Far East in St. Petersburg, pointed out that Moscow and Tokyo can build good-neighborly relations, but it should be understood that Japan is the most Americanized country outside of the United States.

A peace treaty between Russia and Japan was never signed after the end of World War II, in which Japan sided with Germany. Thus, in 1956 Japan and the USSR signed a joint declaration, according to which Moscow agreed to consider the transfer of Habomai and Shikotan to Tokyo, but for this it was necessary to conclude a peace treaty. At the same time, Japan itself did not give up its claims to all the islands of the Kuril Ridge.

The countries failed to reach an understanding on this issue. At the moment, the Russian leadership's position is that Russia's sovereignty over the islands of Habomai and Shikotan is inviolable.