“However, the 1956 agreement refers to two islands while the Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] is talking about four islands.” Quote by Vladimir Putin
“I believe it is no secret that I like Japan very much - Japanese culture, sport, including judo, but it will not offend anyone if I say that I like Russia even more.” IfsBelieveCultureI BelieveSportsSecretIncludingRussiaJapanJudoJapanese Culture Author:Vladimir Putin
“The Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] and I will negotiate proceeding from our national interests: the interests of Russia and the interests of Japan. We should find a compromise.” ShouldInterestRussiaCompromiseMinistersJapanPrimePrime MinisterProceedingNational InterestsAbe Author:Vladimir Putin
“We [with Shindzo Abe] should understand that the results of that terrible tragedy of the 20th century, namely World War II, are enshrined in corresponding international documents, and finding a way to settle all disputes without destroying the entire foundation of international law that evolved as a result of World War II is a highly delicate task. Therefore, I would like to reiterate that we cannot second-guess the course, let alone the outcome of our negotiations.” WorldWayShouldWarLawCoursesResultsCenturyTerribleFindingsTasksTragedyFoundationInternationalSettlingWar Of The WorldsOutcomesDestroyingWorld War IiDelicateWorld War IDocuments20th CenturyNegotiationDisputesCorrespondingInternational LawAbeTerrible Tragedy Author:Vladimir Putin
“Everything that we [with Shindzo Abe] are talking about has come to us as a result of the events of 70 years ago. In some way or other, during these 70 years we have been involved in some kind of dialogue on the issue, and that includes the conclusion of a peace treaty.” WayYearsKindHas BeensResultsTalkingIssuesEventsInvolvedYears AgoDialogueConclusionTreatiesAbePeace Treaties Author:Vladimir Putin
“I wish that in the course of my visit to places the Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] calls home, all of a sudden, we would reach a clear understanding on how we can resolve the matters. We will be very glad if that happens. Are there any chances? Perhaps.” IfsMatterHomeHappensCoursesWishUnderstandingChanceClearGladMinistersResolvePrimePrime MinisterAbe Author:Vladimir Putin
“There is always a chance [for negotiations with Japan], or else it makes no sense to talk. How great is it? Right now, it is difficult for me to say, because this will depend, among other things, on the flexibility of our partners.” DifficultChanceDependsRight NowPartnersJapanNegotiationFlexibility Author:Vladimir Putin
“You have made a very good point: both the Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] and I enjoy a fairly high level of trust among the citizens of our countries.” MadeCountryEnjoyLevelsCitizensVery GoodOur CountryMinistersPrimePrime MinisterHigh LevelAbe Author:Vladimir Putin
“However, personally, I see this as not having the right to abuse this trust [among the citizens of Russia and Japan], and any decision we reach should correspond to the national interests of the Russian Federation.” ShouldInterestDecisionCitizensAbuseRussiaJapanNational InterestsFederation Author:Vladimir Putin
“Yet our interests, the interests of the Russian Federation, include the normalisation of relations with Japan, which is not at the bottom of the agenda. The whole range of what will be proposed for a solution, the entire range of matters related to the normalisation of our relations and what that would bring after normalisation, this is the whole range of issues to be discussed and decided, and those decisions should be of a practical nature.” ShouldMatterWholeInterestDecisionIssuesSolutionsDecidedRelationBottomPracticalsRangeRelatedJapanAgendasFederation Author:Vladimir Putin
“Prime Minister [Shinzō Abe] and I have spoken a lot, and we said all the right things, in my opinion, about creating an atmosphere of trust and friendship between our nations and peoples.” SaidNationsOpinionCreatingAtmosphereMinistersRight ThingPrimePrime MinisterAbeTrust And Friendship Author:Vladimir Putin