With Russia and Japan still far from resolving their territorial dispute, the Kremlin hopes that President Vladimir Putin?€™s three-day trip to Tokyo, which begins Sunday, will give a strong boost to bilateral economic cooperation.
Both countries claim four islands in the South Kuril chain that were seized by Soviet troops during World War II.
Putin and Mori have been coy about prospects for achieving a solution by year?€™s end, as was previously planned. Each tacitly acknowledges that there is little chance of a quick breakthrough.
Both countries claim four islands in the South Kuril chain that were seized by Soviet troops during World War II.
Putin and Mori have been coy about prospects for achieving a solution by year?€™s end, as was previously planned. Each tacitly acknowledges that there is little chance of a quick breakthrough.