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Russia-Japan dispute over Kuril Islands

Japan’s new foreign minister calls for talks with Lavrov 'as soon as possible'

Japan’s new trade minister will work to elaborate the plan of cooperation with Russia

TOKYO, September 11. /TASS/. Japan’s new foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, has called for a soonest meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to focus on the peace treaty issues, Motegi told Japanese reporters on Wednesday.

"I have instructions to work toward a resolution that is acceptable to both countries. I want to hold a discussion with Foreign Minister [Sergey] Lavrov as soon as possible," Motegi said, cited by Kyodo news agency.

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Japanese minister says intensive dialogue expected with Russia on Kuril joint ventures

After reshuffling the government on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that Tokyo would be forging ties with Moscow in a wide range of fields. He expressed hope that Motegi would make "full use of his negotiating skills." Prior to his appointment, Motegi had been a top negotiator in trade talks with the United States.

Russia and Japan have been in talks to sign a peace treaty since the mid-20th century. The main stumbling block to achieving the goal is the ownership issue over the Southern Kuril Islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan. After the end of World War II, the Kuril Islands were incorporated into the Soviet Union. However, the ownership of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan islands and the Habomai Islands has been challenged by Japan. Tokyo frequently submits protests to Moscow amid Russia’s activity in the Southern Kurils. In the meantime, the Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stressed that Russia’s ownership of these islands is fixed in international legal documents and cannot be doubted.

Hopes set on Japan's new trade minister

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered new Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Isshu Sugawara to work on the details of the plan of Japanese-Russian cooperation.

"Apart from other things, I received the order from the prime minister to work to elaborate the plan of Japanese-Russian economic cooperation," Sugawara said at a news conference on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference on the reshuffling in the government earlier on Wednesday, Abe expressed hope that Sugawara would apply his professional experience to boost economic relations with Russia.

In 2016, a special position — minister for economic cooperation with Russia — was created in Japan’s government. It was assigned to the then Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko. On this post Seko took active part in the Japanese-Russian economic dialogue and was a permanent guest at the Eastern Economic Forum. Sugawara received both the position of Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and supervisory control over the development of economic relations with Russia.

Sugawara, aged 57, was elected to the key lower chamber of the Japanese government six times. He graduated from Waseda University and worked for more than 10 years in Sojitz, one of Japan’s largest trade corporations. He also served as Director of the Economy, Trade and Industry Division of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.

Military drills

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US government prepares to sign $6-bln contract for arms deliveries to Ukraine — Politico

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Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

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Security concerns mount as radical Islamists flock to Southeast Asia

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Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

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Russian Embassy to Austria denied participation in ceremony at Nazi concentration camp

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Houthis say they attacked MSC Darwin vessel in Gulf of Aden

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West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

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Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

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West views Europe as potential theater of military operations — Lukashenko

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US first caused, now purposefully drags out Ukraine conflict — Shoigu

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Kiev troops may strike targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles — newspaper

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Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

Global community condemns use of terrorists in geopolitical struggle — Russian official

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

SCO expects Belarus to join the organization very soon — Shoigu

The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

Kiev violates diplomatic relations convention by recruiting mercenaries abroad — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed to media reports, according to which Ukrainian embassies in a number of countries are openly campaigning local citizens to join the so-called International Legion of Ukrainian Territorial Defense

Russian, Chinese militaries interacting stabilizes world processes — top defense official

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun noted that he wanted to discuss "the most fundamental issues" with his Russian counterpart, given the constraints of time and place

Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

Moscow, Minsk pushing for peace even as 'war in the air' — Belarusian official

Pavel Muraveiko stressed that "the leaders of Belarus and Russia are doing everything possible and impossible to ensure peace and security on western borders"

Ukrainian opposition demands parliament speaker's resignation over pro-Hitler remarks

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North Korea tests multiple rocket launchers produced at new defense enterprise

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Promotion of Russian brands gives good return — Putin

Comprehensive mechanisms require to be worked out, the head of state noted, responding to a proposal to add new tools to support of congress and exhibition activities

Unemployment rate in Russia remains less than 3% — Putin

The unemployment rate went down in regions and settlements where it was historically high, the head of state stressed

Reinforced Ukrainian battlegroup fails to break through Russian defenses in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase — newspaper

According to the report, Israel is willing to acceprt the release of women, men over 50 years old and those seriously ill

US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Senior security official points to rising tensions on Belarus’ western border

Tensions "have reached a peak where the slightest imbalance can lead either to a serious, high-profile and large-scale provocation or a conflict," Pavel Muraveiko stressed

Russian troops destroy 89 Ukrainian UAVs, 5 boats in Kherson area over past day

"Battlegroup Dnepr units conducted active counterbattery warfare and destroyed enemy drones, manpower and equipment on the right bank of the Dnieper River," Governor Vladimir Saldo said

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Fatah accuses Hamas of actions that led to Israeli control of Gaza — report

Fatah also said Hamas is currently seeking to become part of the Palestine Liberation Organization, but is doing this "only to preserve itself and survive"

Israel Defense Forces delivers more strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon

Apart from that, IDF fighter jets delivered strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in the area of Kfarchouba in southern Lebanon and in Markaba

Foreign delegations show great interest in Russian defense products — security official

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West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later

Cosmonauts complete spacewalk two hours ahead of schedule

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Russian foreign minister to meet with Bolivian counterpart in Moscow

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Top Chinese diplomat calls for creating conditions for talks on Ukraine

Wang Yi also called for "resolutely opposing attempts to take advantage of the chaos and add fuel to the fire"

North Korea to take part in SPIEF — Embassy in Russia

The 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held on June 5-8, 2024

US military advisers, if sent to Ukraine, won’t come close to frontlines — Pentagon

"United States has no intent of conducting combat operations inside of Ukraine, nor are these forces going to be anywhere near the frontlines," Patrick Ryder said

Better situation for peace in Ukraine, threats to Belarus: new statements by Lukashenko

The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court