Russia-Japan talks on Kurils not to resume soon: Russian FM

Any talks between Russia and Japan about the future status of four southernmost Kurils isles could start no earlier than Tokyo recognizes the results of the Second World War, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during his appearance in the State Duma.

"Any talks about further cooperation on that issue should start with the first necessary step -- recognition of the WWII results," Lavrov said as quoted by RBC news agency.

Still, according to Russian FM's statement, Japan demonstrates the "stubborn unwillingness to recognize the existing reality" and tries to "present the situation as if the WWII results and the UN Charter don't have any relations to the Kurils issue."

"We don't agree with such an approach categorically," Lavrov noted.

Japan and Russia has technically been in a state of war since 1945. Tokyo refused to sign a formal peace treaty until the "Northern territories" issue will be resolved.

Source: Xinhua