Kishida, Japanese Prime Minister, Holds Phone Talk with Russian President Putin: "Peace Treaty Negotiations Continue"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to continue negotiations for the conclusion of a Russia-Japan peace treaty during a phone call with President Vladimir Putin on the 7th.

According to NHK, the phone call between the Russian and Japanese leaders took place from 5:30 PM (Korean time) and lasted about 25 minutes.

During the call, President Putin congratulated Prime Minister Kishida on his inauguration, and Prime Minister Kishida also extended birthday wishes to President Putin, who celebrated his birthday that day.

Prime Minister Kishida then stated, "I want to develop the overall Russia-Japan relationship, including the issue of concluding a peace treaty, on a mutually beneficial basis," to which President Putin responded, "I want to continue dialogue on all issues between the two countries."

Russia and Japan, who fought as enemies during World War II, have yet to conclude a peace treaty due to a territorial dispute over the Southern Kuril Islands (known in Japan as the Northern Territories).

After the phone call between the Russian and Japanese leaders, Prime Minister Kishida told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office, "I want to continue holding talks with President Putin to build a relationship of trust and advance the overall Russia-Japan relationship."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.