Japan and Russia to finally sign WW2 peace treaty?
- 8 years ago
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe courted Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, holding out the prospect for a summit as he renewed his call for progress on an elusive World War II peace treaty.
The two countries have never officially struck a peace accord more than after 70 years after the end of the conflict amid a territorial dispute over four Japanese islands seized by Soviet troops at the war's conclusion.
"President Putin and I share the view that it is abnormal for our nations not to have a peace treaty 70 years since the war", Abe said at his first press conference of the year.
"The issues related to the Northern Territories cannot be resolved without exchanges between the leaders," he added, referring to the Japanese appellation for the islands.
"I will continue my dialogue with President Putin when opportunities arise," he added.
"We will explore the most appropriate timing for his visit to Japan."
The two countries have never officially struck a peace accord more than after 70 years after the end of the conflict amid a territorial dispute over four Japanese islands seized by Soviet troops at the war's conclusion.
"President Putin and I share the view that it is abnormal for our nations not to have a peace treaty 70 years since the war", Abe said at his first press conference of the year.
"The issues related to the Northern Territories cannot be resolved without exchanges between the leaders," he added, referring to the Japanese appellation for the islands.
"I will continue my dialogue with President Putin when opportunities arise," he added.
"We will explore the most appropriate timing for his visit to Japan."