Moscow Says It Is Supending Peace Treaty Talks With Japan
Russia's foreign ministry says it is suspending peace treaty talks with Japan in response to sanctions imposed by Tokyo in relation to the invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry says Moscow does not intend to continue peace treaty talks, because it is impossible to discuss a fundamental document on bilateral relations with a state that holds an explicitly unfriendly position.
The ministry also says Russia will withdraw from dialogue with Japan on joint economic activities on four islands.
Japan and Russia never signed a peace treaty after World War Two because of a dispute over the islands.
Russia controls the islands. Japan claims the islands, which it calls the Northern Territories. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.
The Russian foreign ministry also says Moscow will suspend visa-free exchanges between Japanese citizens and residents of the islands, as well as visits by Japanese former residents to graves on the islands.
The ministry says all responsibility for harming bilateral cooperation and the interests of Japan rests with Tokyo, which it claims has chosen to take an anti-Russia stance.
Japan has imposed sanctions against Russia in step with other Group of Seven members.
It has revoked Russia's most favored nation status and frozen assets of President Vladimir Putin and other government officials, among other sanctions.