MOSCOW — Russian President Putin paid tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, acknowledging his long – standing efforts to resolve a historic territorial dispute and conclude a peace treaty between Russia and Japan, Reuters reports on May 29th.
Speaking at the Kremlin during a meeting with Abe’s widow, Akie Abe, Putin praised the late leader’s dedication to strengthening bilateral ties, despite the deep – rooted challenges that ultimately prevented the signing of a post – World War II peace agreement.
I know that his dream, and he truly strived to achieve this, was to conclude a peace treaty between our two countries. The situation is different now,
– Putin said. He added that such a treaty is not possible under current international conditions, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine as a key obstacle.
Abe, who served nearly nine years as Japan’s prime minister before stepping down in 2020, was assassinated in 2022 while delivering a campaign speech. Over the course of his tenure, he met with Putin 27 times in a bid to normalize relations between Tokyo and Moscow.
Your husband did a great deal for the development of Russian – Japanese relations. We had very good personal relations, – Putin told Akie Abe.
Akie Abe responded by recalling her husband’s continued desire to engage with Putin, even after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
But unfortunately, circumstances were such that he was no longer able to meet you. His life was cut short,
– she said.
Relations between the two countries have further deteriorated since Japan joined Western sanctions against Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Peace treaty talks remain indefinitely suspended.
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Reuters and agencies
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