Japan condemns Russia's withdrawal from peace treaty talks

Russia and Japan have not yet officially ended World War II hostilities because of islands near Hokkaido Island.

These islands are known as Curils in Russia and as northern Territories in Japan.

Moscow's decision to withdraw from the talks has come as revenge for sanctions imposed by Tokyo towards Russia because of the invasion of Ukraine.

The islands were occupied by the former Soviet Union at the end of World War II, and Russia claims that their purchase was as fair as any international change of borders after the war.

Japan disputes this.

The entire situation created by the Russian invasion in Ukraine and the Russian response to include this in Japan-Russia relations is extremely unfair and completely unacceptable”, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday, March 22nd.

Japan has imposed sanctions on 76 Russian individuals, seven banks and 12 other subjects, including defence officials and state arms export company Rosoboronexport.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

He's ordered <x0 special” to demilitarize Ukraine.

The Kremlin's action has stirred anger and has been condemned in many parts of the world.

The United States and its allies have responded with severe sanctions against Moscow. / REL/