(EDM) The predictable monotony of the high-level panel at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok last week (September 11–13) was interrupted by President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that Russia and Japan sign a long-overdue peace treaty by the end of the year (Kommersant, September 13). The idea might have looked fresh; but in fact, it was not only unacceptable but deliberately insulting to Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. The latter had invested much political capital in breaking the deadlock around the territorial dispute with Russia involving the South Kurile Islands (Northern Territories). In fact, Abe discussed that problem with Putin earlier the same day—only to have his proposals dismissed on account of bothersome “preconditions” (Novaya Gazeta, September 13). Putin knows the importance of this problem for Japanese public opinion. So he dared his polite but persistent counterparts to reject his proposal, which they duly did (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, September 12). […]
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