JAPAN-RIA: Russia Refuses Peace Treaty Talks w/Japan

Russia's state-run RIA reporting that the Kremlin has refused to enter talks with Japan regarding a potential peace treaty. While not in outright conflict (the Soviet–Japanese Joint Declaration of 1956 ended the state of war between the two countries), Moscow and Tokyo remain in a territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands/Northern Territories.

• Wires report Russian Foreign Ministry as stating "Russia exits talks to negotiate a peace treaty with Japan. Revoking visa-free regime for Japanese citizens at southern Kuril islands. Exits dialogue on southern Kuril islands"
• The disputed islands were annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of WWII, with neither side agreeing to terms on their ownership since then.
• Japan has joined the West in imposing sanctions on Russia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Japan has also shipped military equipment to Ukraine in a first of its kind, with Japan' pacifist constitution previously limiting the gov'ts ability to provide this kind of support.