Japanese Foreign Minister Says Abe Russia Visit Possible

Japanese Foreign Minister did not rule out a possible visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Russia.

TOKYO (Sputnik) – Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida did not rule out Tuesday a possible visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Russia.

"Dialogue between leaders is very important. How we will do so is something that is yet to be decided," the minister told the Nikkei newspaper when asked about Abe being invited to Russia.

Kishida stressed that nothing had been decided yet in regards to Abe’s visit to Russia, or Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan.

Putin and Abe met on the sidelines of the UN climate talks in Paris. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the sides discussed Putin visiting the Japanese capital of Tokyo. Peskov added that Abe’s visit to Russia was possible prior to the Japan visit of the Russian leader.

In June, Abe confirmed that Putin was welcome to visit Japan at a time convenient for both sides during a phone conversation with the Russian leader.

Russia and Japan's relations have been strained over the Kuril Islands, which are controlled by Russia, but claimed by Japan.

The relations between two countries deteriorated after Tokyo announced support for certain Western economic sanctions against Russia imposed in 2014 over an alleged interference in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.