Japanese media say that G-7 leaders will discuss sanctions against Russia at the summit in Italy
The leaders of the Group of Seven will probably discuss the extension of sanctions against Russia at the next G-7 Summit that will take place in May 2017 in Italy, TASS reported, citing Kyodo Japanese Agency. According to the agency, the Japanese government intends to continue extending sanctions against the Russian Federation while, at the same time, working on bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
In this way, Tokyo hopes to make progress in negotiations for a peace agreement. However, the readiness to cooperate with Russia can fuel discontent among Japanese partners from G-7. For this reason, Tokyo will try to explain to them its special circumstances regarding the need to address issues of bilateral relations.
“We can’t stop condemning Russia until sovereignty over the Crimea is returned to Ukraine,” Kyodo quoted a government source as saying. “It is likely that the extensions of sanctions, imposed against the Russian Federation will be discussed at the summit in Italy in 2017,” said the Agency, quoting another government source. In March 2014, Japan and a number of Western countries imposed sanctions against Russia due to the situation in Ukraine.
In the context of these restrictive measures, Tokyo suspended consultations with Moscow on easing the visa regime and postponed negotiations on the possible conclusion of three agreements about investment cooperation, cooperation in the exploration of outer space and the prevention of dangerous military activities. However, in spite of this, on December 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the easing of visa requirements for the Russian Federation.
A number of media outlets, including Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun and Kyodo considered this step as actual easing of sanctions. In the final declaration of the 2016 G-7 Summit that took place in Ise-Shima National Park, the validity period of sanctions was linked to implementation of the Minsk Agreements. The document also noted that sanctions against Russia could be strengthened if its actions so require.