Lavrov, during a speech at the Territory of Meanings All-Russian Youth Educational Forum, recalled that Russia, as a successor to the Soviet Union, was ready to fulfill its obligations.
“(In a declaration of 1956. - RT ) it was clearly stated that Russia and Japan are no longer at war with each other, ... and, based on a benevolent attitude towards Japan, taking into account the interests of the Japanese people, the Soviet Union is ready to transfer Japan after concluding a peace treaty Habomai and Shikotan islands as a gesture of goodwill. It is after the conclusion of a peace treaty, ”said Lavrov.
He noted that at the moment "everything rests on the reluctance of our Japanese colleagues to recognize the results of the Second World War, thereby preventing the signing of a peace treaty."
“Our official position,” Zakharova said, commenting on this statement.
Also, the Foreign Ministry said they were surprised by the "unscrupulous interpretation" in a number of media of Lavrov’s words, "repeating the Russian official position on the development of a peace treaty with Japan."
The ministry emphasized that "any speculation in the spirit of" Lavrov announced the conditions for the transfer of the islands of Japan "is unacceptable and is misinformation."
In July, Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo announced his desire to conclude a peace treaty with Russia during his prime term, which ends in 2021.