Moscow/Tokyo: Western countries have imposed heavy sanctions against Russia following the attack on Ukraine. Japan also has joined the action of imposing sanctions, and the Japanese government has targeted Russian companies, entrepreneurs and officials. An intense reaction has been received from Russia over the unilateral Japanese action. Russia has announced that the peace talks to resolve the disputes from the second world war have been cancelled. At the same time, it has withdrawn the concessions regarding the four islands lying between Russia and Japan. Japan has expressed displeasure over the Russian decision and summoned the Russian ambassador to register a protest.
The Russian foreign ministry announced its decision saying ‘Japan has imposed unilateral sanctions with a spiteful attitude over the Ukraine issue. Russia does not feel like continuing with the peace talks after the Japanese decision. At the same time, the ‘Visa Free’ facility given to the Japanese citizens also stands withdrawn.’ The Russian foreign ministry also criticised Japan and Russia’s bilateral relations, cooperation, and interests have taken a hit and Japan is entirely responsible for it.
Along with the cancellation of peace talks, the economic cooperation projects with Japan in the South Kuril Islands region will also be stopped. Russia said that the partner status awarded to Japan in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation would also be dishonoured. Japan expressed regret over the Russian decisions. Japan summoned the Russian Ambassador on Tuesday. Japanese media informed that the Japanese foreign ministry registered a protest with the Russian ambassador. Senior Japanese official Hirokazu Matsuno also intensely criticised the Russian decisions.
No official ceasefire was signed between Russia and Japan after the second world war. The dispute over the four islands’ ownership lies between the two countries continues. The names of these islands are Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai. These islands have been under Russian control since 1945. As per the agreements signed earlier in 1991 and 1999, Japanese citizens have been allowed to visit the islands.
In 2016, the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin visited each other’s countries. After that, in 2016, both countries restarted the peace talks. Russia and Japan had agreed on developing joint projects on the disputed islands. Japan has imposed sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine war, joining hands with the western countries. Russia is annoyed due to this and has decided to stop the peace talks and suspend other cooperation.
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