Kremlin: Russia wants no US involvement in the peace process with Japan
The Russian Foreign Ministry opposes the inclusion of the United States in the negotiations process with Japan, said the Ministry’s official representative, Maria Zakharova on Channel Russia 1.
“Suddenly, the third party appears again in this bilateral dialogue established thanks to political will expressed by our government. And what is interesting about it is that we hear surprising and strange statements made by Japan in the USA that Japan is waiting for the support of the USA, or even participation in the dialogue on the problem of the peace treaty with Russia. And it is unclear what the USA and its role have to do with it,” Zakharova said.
Earlier, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe said, “The conclusion of the peace treaty between Japan and Russia will have a positive impact on the regional stability. I believe, it will be positive for the USA as well.”
On January 9, Jerry Martinez, the Commander of US Forces in Japan stated that if the disputed Kuril Islands are given to Japan, the USA will not deploy its military there. “At this stage the USA has no plans to deploy troops there,” Martinez said.
Russia and Japan have been unable to conclude a peace treaty for over 70 years. The relevant declaration was not signed after the USSR-Japanese declaration of 1956 because of territorial issues. Both nations disagree on who owns the South Kuril Islands.