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Japan Prime Minister may meet with Russia's president on G20 summit sidelines

Possible meeting discussed by of deputies to the two countries’ foreign ministers

TOKYO, August 19 (Itar-Tass) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expects to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit, due in St. Petersburg on September 5 to 6, the Kyodo news agency reported on Monday.

According to the news agency, a possible meeting is discussed at the level of deputies to the two countries’ foreign ministers. In particular, the sides have discussed opinions on bilateral cooperation as well as starting points for the talks.

Earlier, Russian president’s aide Yuri Ushakov said that apart from G20 events, the president is planning a host of meetings with counterparts. He did not name these foreign leaders though.

Putin traditionally takes an opportunity of major international summits to meet separately with leaders from other countries. The prime minister of Japan is often Putin’s interlocutor at such meetings on the sidelines of G8, G20 and APEC summits.

The latest meeting of Putin and Shinzo Abe was on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.