Japan refuses to sign peace treaty with Russia within the framework of 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 their differences on historical and security issues. Japan had been preparing a framework 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 goodwill gesture after concluding a peace treaty with Tokyo. After that, Japan planned to negotiate with Russia on the sovereignty of the two remaining 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 asked Japan to 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 in the Southern Kuril Islands. At the same time, Tokyo hopes that Russia-Japan dialogue on the Peace Treaty will continue in the near future.