Putin Aide Urges Japan to Recognize World War II Results

May 24, 2018

Moscow- Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Wednesday Japan needs to recognize World War II results in order to conclude a peace treaty with Russia, Interfax reported the same day.

The aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin said the issue of concluding the bilateral peace treaty is expected to be on the agenda of the president's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Moscow on Saturday, according to the Russian news agency.

A territorial row over four northwestern Pacific islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the South Kuril Islands in Russia, has prevented Tokyo and Moscow from concluding a peace treaty to formally end their wartime hostilities.

Ushakov said a future treaty is to be based on postwar realities.

It should unambiguously state Japan's recognition of World War II results and the legality of the islands' transition to Russia in accordance with the agreements among the allied powers, Ushakov said.

He also said the conclusion of a peace treaty will require a proper climate of trust and cooperation, which cannot be brought about without extensive interaction between Japan and Russia. Jiji Press