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US ‘not seeking to interfere’ with Japan’s priorities in ties with Russia

A senior administration official said US "certainly understand that Japan as a neighbor of Russia puts high importance on its own bilateral relations with Russia"

WASHINGTON, February 9./TASS/. The new administration of US President Donald Trump is not going to interfere with Japan’s priorities in ties with Russia, a senior administration official said in a telephone briefing for journalists replying to a TASS query.

"We certainly understand that Japan as a neighbor of Russia puts high importance on its own bilateral relations with Russia. The United States respects that," he said.

"The United States respects that and isn't seeking to interfere with Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe's priorities in his dealings with Russia," he said in reply to the question whether the new US government has any objections to attempts of Moscow and Tokyo to establish closer ties.

"But I'll leave it to Prime Minister Abe and his Government to talk in detail about that bilateral relationship," he said in a special briefing focusing on the upcoming visit of the Japanese prime minister to the United States.

Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe will hold talks at the White House on Friday, including with the participation of the delegations.