Putin: No prerequisites for continuing Russian-Japanese dialogue on peace treaty now

ST. PETERSBURG. June 6 (Interfax) - There are no proper prerequisites now to continue a Russian-Japanese dialogue on a peace treaty, although Russia is not refusing to resume this dialogue if Japan complies with certain terms, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

"We see Japan's partiality as regards the Ukraine crisis these days. And there are no conditions now for continuing a dialogue on a peace treaty between Russia and Japan. We're not refusing to resume it, but only if the essential conditions are provided, primarily on the part of Japan," Putin said at a meeting with editors-in-chief of foreign news agencies.

Russia did nothing in its bilateral relations with Japan that would complicate their dialogue, Putin said. "Nothing. Everything that was done was done by Japan," he said.

"As for Japan's declaration on joining attempts to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, do you think this isn't an obstacle to continuing a dialogue on a peace treaty?" Putin said.

"Do you think my hypothetical desire to visit the [Kuril] Islands is more serious that the Japanese government's statement on seeking the Russian Federation's strategic defeat?" Putin said commenting on a remark by a Kyodo News representative that the Russian president's visit to the Kuril Islands would complicate preparations for a peaceful settlement.

Putin said he saw no problem in visiting the Kuril Islands, "assuming that this is part of Russia's sovereign territory."

"I see no reason for me not to visit those islands. True, frankly speaking, I haven't planned on that so far. Just because I've been busy with some other issues," he said.