Following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, there are growing voices within the government and the LDP that it is not possible to proceed with negotiations on a peace treaty, including the Northern Territories issue, and it is likely that the strategy will need to be revised.
Regarding peace treaty negotiations including the Northern Territories issue, the Japanese and Russian governments stated in 2018 that they would "deliver the Habomai Islands and Shitanjima after concluding a peace treaty" between then Prime Minister Abe and President Putin. We have agreed to accelerate negotiations based on the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration of the Year.
Following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Kishida told the House of Councilors Budget Committee on the 25th that "now we are implementing sanctions firmly and that acts that violate international law are costly. It's important. For the time being, we must refrain from talking about territorial issues. "
Regarding joint economic activities on the four northern islands to advance peace treaty negotiations, the Liberal Democratic Party's chairman of the political affairs investigation, Takaichi, pointed out that "economic cooperation cannot be achieved in the current situation," and chairman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sato. "A vague attitude is unacceptable," he said.
Under the current situation in Ukraine, there are growing voices within the government and the LDP that it is not possible to proceed with peace treaty negotiations and joint economic activities with Russia, and it is likely that the strategy will need to be revised.