Russia, Japan agree to Putin-Abe meetings this year

Until Japan accepts they will never get the 4 islets back, the talks will go nowhere

"The Russian position is based on the result of WWII'. This sums up the issue. Russia 10 - Japan 0.

Because there many things to be discussed between Russia and Japan except those poor islets. Tourism, joint business projects etc

You cannot compare Okinawa to the Northern Islands. It is moron. The Northern Islands were stolen by the thief (Russians). All tourism, oil investment should not be discussed. Are you wlling to negotiate with a thief who stole your property? The Russians budget is based on oil price and the price of oil price is almost at the bottom. Putin is in trouble. This is THE time to negotiate aggressively for returning the Northern Islands. That`s the reason I said it.

Until Japan accepts they will never get the 4 islets back, the talks will go nowhere oh Japan will get them or some back, but its going to cost them heaps both financially and politically. Just depend how badly Japan want them. Putin knows this and has got Japan by the nads on this issue.

It used to be Toya G8 summit.

This would be very good, but the US won't let Japan get close to Russia.

Make sure you guys demand Putin that the Northern Islands belong to Japan and all need to be returned without question. Okay? I have nothing else to say. Just do it.

But not tourists, they cacel.

Economic sanctions by the West continue and Saudi Arabia and the US are in a kind of a oil price war to make it difficult for Russia to acquire foreign exchange. China is quick to take the occasion and tries to have Russian oil price further discounted. Turk also has fangs. So now is a good time to push ahead negotiation for the northern territories. Abe and Mr. Putin seem to have a good chemistry. Habomai and Shikotan will be returned. Kunashir (the second largest island) might be a bargaining chip.

Pigs can Fly!

gives japan good excuse to negotiate with russia without offending north america and europe.. good for business i don't think abe gives a toss about the islands.. just another pawn

@globalwatcher"You cannot compare Okinawa to the Northern Islands. It is moron. The Northern Islands were stolen by the thief (Russians)".

No. Kuril islands were seized by Soviets in a battle, during wide-scale offensive operations in 1945. Your problem that you have zero knowledges of world history (as a typical westerner) but anyway you rush to stick irresponsible labels. Once again : before chatting about "theft" and "northern territories" you should begin with foreign occupation forces on Okinawa.

@globalwatcher"all need to be returned without question. Okay? I have nothing else to say". Good that you have nothing else to say. Because there many things to be discussed between Russia and Japan except those poor islets. Tourism, joint business projects etc. Besides, if you wish to talk about seized territories, think about bases on beautiful Okinawa first.

Treaty of peace , friendship and cooperation will usher in a new era of close relations between the two countries. How much more land does Russia need ,when it already has sufficient land within the country.Japan must keep this fact in mind and it will certainly get back Northern Territories islands from Russia in future.