‘It is Japan, Not Russia, That Must Take the First Step’, Moscow’s Stern Reply to Tokyo’s Claims on Restoring Ties

Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has dismissed as “ridiculous and pointless” claims by the Japanese government that Moscow is exploring possibilities for high-level contacts to resume dialogue and practical interaction between the two countries.

Responding to a media question on Wednesday, Zakharova clarified that the Russian Foreign Ministry initially did not propose any meetings mentioned in the Japanese media reports, nor did it receive any suggestions from Tokyo about their organisation. “Moscow is open to contacts with Japan—if such contact takes place, but in no way does it ask for or is directed towards such communication,” she said.

Spokesperson Zakharova reminded that since February 2022, Tokyo, exclusively out of solidarity with the West, began its hostile sanctions against Russia, which continue to this day. She stressed that Japan should therefore take the first step towards reviewing such a policy. She informed that on December 26, 2024, the Japanese Ambassador in Moscow was handed a list of specific steps required from Tokyo to resume dialogue, including the removal of personal and economic restrictions, restoration of Russia’s status as the most favoured nation, and denial of material and technical support to the Kiev regime, among other items. However, there has been no reaction to this document to date.

Regarding Tokyo’s voiced intentions to send a “business mission” to Moscow, Zakharova made it clear that no invitations related to such a trip were sent by the Russian side. “If the Japanese government really wants to secure the interests of its companies that still remain in our country, then it should start somewhere else—creating a normal, business-friendly political atmosphere. And the initiative in this belongs exclusively to Tokyo,” she said.