Japan refuses to sign peace treaty with Russia at G20 summit
(Baonghean.vn) - The Japanese government has refused to sign a peace agreement with Russia within the framework of the G20 Summit taking place in Osaka at the end of June, Asahi newspaper reported on June 1.
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| Disputed islands between Russia and Japan. Photo: Russia Insider |
According to the Asahi newspaper, both sides failed to overcome differences over historical and security issues. Japan had been preparing to draw up a framework for an agreement ahead of the G20 summit on June 28-29, where Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to hold talks.
By signing the agreement, Tokyo sought to reaffirm the 1956 Japan-Soviet Union Joint Declaration, which stipulated that Moscow would return the small island of Shikotan and the Habomai Island of the Southern Kuril Islands as a gesture of goodwill after concluding a peace treaty with Tokyo. Japan then planned to negotiate with Russia over the sovereignty of the remaining two disputed islands - Iturup and Kunashir.
However, after the rounds of foreign ministerial negotiations, it was shown that Russia was only interested in the US Aegis Ashore ground-based missile defense system deployed on these islands. In addition, Russia also demanded that Japan recognize Russia's sovereignty over the southern part of the Kuril Islands. Japan considered this request unacceptable.
According to the Asahi newspaper, ahead of the G20 Summit, Russia and Japan will focus on developing joint economic activities on the Southern Kuril Islands. At the same time, Tokyo hopes that Russia-Japan dialogue on the peace treaty will continue in the near future.
