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Japanese government says follows Alaska summit closely

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reiterated that Tokyo welcomes and supports the initiatives of US President Donald Trump aimed at a ceasefire in Ukraine

TOKYO, August 15. /TASS/. The Japanese government is closely following the Russian-American summit, which is scheduled to take place in Alaska on August 15, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.

"Our country is following this meeting with great attention," he said, adding that the summit, the first since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, will have a great impact "on important international issues."

He reiterated that Tokyo welcomes and supports the initiatives of US President Donald Trump aimed at a ceasefire in Ukraine, and again expressed hope for a "positive approach from Russia" in the upcoming negotiations.

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said the leaders will focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. The Kremlin expects that the next meeting between Putin and Trump will take place on Russian territory, Ushakov stressed.

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