Putin envisions mutually beneficial Japan-Russia ties | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Japan and Russia could be good neighbors and have mutually beneficial relations if his country's invasion of Ukraine were to come to an end.

Putin's comments suggest that he expects ties to improve, and they appear to be a request for Japan to soften its approach.

He spoke on Thursday in the Russian capital of Moscow. He attended an event with experts to discuss the international situation.

His remarks were in response to a question by Abiru Taisuke, senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, who is knowledgeable about Japan-Russia relations.

Putin said: "We view our relations as good-neighborly and mutually beneficial. We have areas of mutual interest."

He also said, "We hope that the same attitude toward mutual cooperation in the interests of both countries will eventually prevail on the part of Japan's ruling class -- specifically, its political ruling class -- and on the part of Japan itself."

In August of this year, Putin visited Etorofu Island in the Northern Territories for the first time. Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them.

Japan protested the visit, and Russia criticized Japan's response.

But Putin's remarks at the event suggest that he is attaching importance to ties with Japan in the long term. They also suggest that he has his eye on relations for the period after the invasion of Ukraine ends.

Russia has been continuing its attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. It has been using drones and other methods. Ukraine has been countering with attacks on oil refineries and other targets. There appears to be no hope in sight for a ceasefire or for peace.