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Neighborly dialogue with Russia needed on range of issues — Japan's foreign minister

Meanwhile, Takeshi Iwaya noted the importance of the Russia-US dialogue within the Ukraine situation

TOKYO, February 14. /TASS/. Tokyo considers it necessary to prioritize national interests in its relations with Russia on issues that the two countries must address as neighbors, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said.

"Japan and Russia have a lot to discuss. Our relations are in dire straits right now, but we believe it is necessary to maintain communication with Russia, which is our neighbor. In our ties with Moscow, we will continue to act in accordance with Japan's national interests," he said when asked about Tokyo's willingness to make a 180-degree turn in its policy toward Russia if relations between Moscow and Washington improve significantly. The foreign minister has repeated this usual wording on relations with Russia several times before, particularly in November 2024 and in a keynote speech in parliament on January 24 this year.

Meanwhile, Iwaya noted the importance of the Russia-US dialogue within the Ukraine situation. He also reiterated that Tokyo would follow the developments and "intends to work closely with the G7 and other relevant countries to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

He also stressed that during discussions on Ukraine, Tokyo would base its position on the fact that it "considers sovereignty and territorial integrity to be of utmost importance." On Thursday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi omitted the Japanese government's traditional stance of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity when responding to a question about whether that position had changed, including in the wake of US President Donald Trump's statements that Ukraine was unlikely to return to its 2014 borders.

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump discussed the prospects for a settlement in Ukraine during their phone conversation on February 12. According to the Kremlin, Trump spoke in favor of an immediate cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Putin, for his part, emphasized the need to address the root causes of the crisis and agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement could be achieved through diplomatic negotiations.

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Iraq denies reports of Houthi training camps

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US government to introduce necessary reforms, following Signal data leak — Rubio

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Russian troops take central part of Lobkovoye settlement in Zaporozhye area

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Kremlin says justice should be met in grain deal

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