Russia gives up talks with Japan on peace treaty

Both countries have been at odds since World War II because of a dispute over small islands known in Russia as Southern Curiles and Japan as the Northern Territories. They reached the northern island of Japan and were occupied by Soviet forces in 1945.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has declared that the provision temporarily imposed bans discussions on joint economic projects for the islands and prohibits visa-free visits from Japanese citizens, writes the BBC, broadcasts Klankosova.tv.

The entire responsibility for undermining Japan's own bilateral co-operation and interests lies with official Tokyo, which deliberately chose to follow a Russian anti-Russian road”, the ministry's announcement said.