"It is hardly worth expecting that the territorial issue may make progress as a result of today’s meetings. This is a much more complex issue that requires longer and more expert-level efforts," Peskov told reporters.
Japan and Russia have never signed a permanent peace treaty after World War II due to a disagreement over four islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan the Northern Territories. The disputed islands, located in the Sea of Okhotsk, were claimed by Soviet forces at the end of the war.
Peskov pointed out that Abe’s visit to the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok signified Tokyo’s interest to develop trade and economic ties with Moscow.
"By itself, the arrival of Prime Minister Abe at the [Eastern] Economic Forum clearly shows our Japanese colleagues’ interest in trade and economic cooperation, in regional presence – meaning in Russia’s Far East – and in certain belief in the economic potential of the region," he stressed.
Putin's visit to Japan is expected take place in December, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said earlier.
