Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said reciprocal easing in relations between Russia and Japan could not be expected at this stage because of Japan’s policy toward Russia.
Peskov said Japan had joined all sanctions imposed on Russia and was included on the list of unfriendly countries. He made the assessment in response to a question about Japanese authorities’ request to resume visa-free travel to the Kuril Islands for their citizens.
The Kremlin spokesman said the issue of resuming visa-free travel to the Kuril Islands primarily falls under the authority of the Russian Foreign Ministry, which is handling the decision-making process.
Peskov takes cautious approach to US espionage allegations
Peskov also addressed a statement by US Attorney General and Justice Secretary Todd Blanche that some people allegedly working for Russian intelligence had been identified in the country.
The Russian official said they did not consider it necessary to comment on the reports unless reasonable evidence and a justification based on concrete grounds were presented.