Kremlin Criticizes Japan's Unfriendly Stance Towards Russia

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Japan continues to pursue a clearly unfriendly policy towards Moscow.

Peskov's remarks were in response to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s statement about his desire to resolve the "territorial issue" and sign a peace treaty with Russia despite the current difficulties in bilateral relations.

Speaking to Russia’s TASS news agency, Peskov said, "If Tokyo has sent any signals regarding its readiness to restore relations, Japan maintains an explicitly unfriendly stance towards our country."

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday its readiness to consider Tokyo's initiatives to resume dialogue between the two nations.

In a statement marking the anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Japan, the ministry noted, "The Russian side assumes that there are sensible politicians and public figures in Japan today who recognize the harm of the anti-Russian course pursued by the authorities and its negative consequences for the Japanese people."

The statement further added, "Russia is ready to consider Japanese initiatives for resuming dialogue when they are backed by genuine steps from Tokyo toward abandoning its unfriendly policies."