Russia: We will respond harshly to Japan’s hostile actions.
According to TASS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stressed that Russia will respond harshly to the hostile actions of the Japanese government.
He said: “Unfortunately, we must say that the Japanese government’s reaction to the president’s words (at the Valdai Club meeting) once again showed that Japan has no intention or decision to take a positive position.”
Rudenko continued: “In such circumstances, we will be forced to respond firmly to anti-Russian steps based on national interests.”
The Russian president stated at the Valdai meeting that Russia and Japan are natural partners due to their proximity, so if Tokyo returns to cooperation, Moscow will not deny it; however, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya responded that Tokyo considers the Russian president’s statements about its readiness to establish bilateral relations “somewhat positive,” but intends to adhere to sanctions against Moscow.
Japan’s NHK television network reported last week, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the Japanese government is considering increasing sanctions on North Korea and Russia.
Tokyo is concerned that cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang is affecting security in Europe and Asia. Japan also believes that such interaction between Russia and North Korea “violates international law.”
Russian and North Korean officials ratified the Comprehensive Partnership for Cooperation Treaty earlier this month. The documents were signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June.