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Russia has not received requests from Japan for high-level contacts — MFA

According to Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow reaffirms that the path to restoring comprehensive interstate dialogue depends on Japan's willingness to move away from its current hostile stance toward Russia

MOSCOW, May 7. /TASS/. Moscow has not received any requests from Tokyo for arranging high-level meetings during international events, but the Russian Foreign Ministry is open to considering such proposals, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated during a news briefing.

"Officially, there have been no requests from Tokyo for high-level Russian-Japanese meetings at international gatherings. Of course, if such a request is made, it will be carefully evaluated," she explained. Zakharova was commenting on reports that Japanese lawmaker Muneo Suzuki, during his visit to Moscow, suggested organizing a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of ASEAN events in Manila.

"We reaffirm that the path to restoring comprehensive interstate dialogue depends on Japan's willingness to move away from its current hostile stance toward Russia - both in words and actions. Such a shift would pave the way for meaningful engagement. This was the clear message conveyed to Muneo Suzuki, a member of Japan’s House of Councillors, during a conversation with Russian Foreign Ministry officials on May 4," Zakharova emphasized.