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Putin, Abe discuss South Kuril Islands during meeting - Japanese foreign ministry

However, Ministry Spokesperson Takeshi Osuga refrained from making any further comments

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L-R front) during a meeting at Moscow's Kremlin Alexei Druzhinin/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L-R front) during a meeting at Moscow's Kremlin

© Alexei Druzhinin/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

MOSCOW, January 22. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have touched upon the issue of the South Kuril Islands during Tuesday’s meeting in Moscow. They also discussed other issues related to the peace treaty, Japanese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Takeshi Osuga stated on Tuesday during a briefing on the outcomes of the talks between Putin and Abe.

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Putin: Russia interested in peace treaty with Japan on basis of 1956 Declaration

"They discussed all the issues pertaining to the peace treaty, including the issue of islands," he said in response to the question about whether Putin and Abe discussed the issue of the South Kuril Islands. However, he refrained from making any further comments, as Japan’s official stance consists in not disclosing the details on the negotiation process.

Osuga also pointed out that it is impossible to know the details of the conversation between Putin and Abe, as they have had a tete-a-tete meeting that lasted for close to one hour.

"We were told by Prime Minister Abe that during this tete-a-tete meeting, he could have a very frank exchange of views with President Putin on the issue of the peace treaty," the spokesperson stated during the briefing.

Russia and Japan do not plan any new summit meetings until Putin’s visit to the G20 summit set to be held in Osaka on June 28-29, 2019, Takeshi Osuga stressed.

"I saw a media report in Japan, but with regard to the future summit meeting, the only thing that is agreed or planned in concrete is that President Putin will visit Japan in June for attending the G20 summit on 28-29 of June," spokesperson said.

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Vladimir Putin Japan Shinzo Abe Dispute over Kuril Islands

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