Russia will complete the installation of missile systems throughout the country in 2017
In 2017, Russia will complete the installation of missile systems that will "protect the entire perimeter of Russia, both from the sea and from the air," claimed Russian Defense Minister, Army General Sergei Shoigu, on March 20th, according to Russian media reports, while Shoigu was commenting on the results of the Russian-Japanese discussions in Tokyo.
“We will complete the full security of the entire perimeter of the Russian Federation, both from the sea and from the air this year. Leaving unprotected space hardly makes sense. Therefore, the entire perimeter of the borders of the Russian Federation will be protected from the sea and from the air. I am not speaking only about the land,” TASS quoted Shoigu as saying on Russia's RT TV channel.
According to TASS, Tokyo officials expressed concern over Russia's intention to deploy a division on the Kurile Islands, as well as the deployment of surface-to-air missiles.
"I raised this issue at the meeting and also conveyed Japan’s concern to the Russians," said Japanese Foreign Minister, Fumio Kishida, following negotiations with Russia.
At the end of February, it was reported that Japan is ready to offer Russia a concrete plan for the overall economic development of the islands, on which both countries have a claim.
The dispute over the islands lasts more than seven decades, since the USSR took control of them after the end of World War II. Because of this problem between Tokyo and Moscow, a peace treaty has not been signed. Recently, Russia decided to name the nameless small islands of the archipelago, which provoked a protest from Japan.