Russia warns Japan not to expect quick progress on islands

[TexasTowelie]

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's foreign minister warned Japan Saturday against expecting a quick breakthrough in the territorial dispute between the two nations ahead of President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to Japan.

Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida that the settlement would require a painstaking work. He added that its rendering in the media "in either a confrontational spirit or by encouraging excessive expectations of a quick progress" wouldn't help.

The disagreement over the Pacific islands, seized by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II, has kept the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their wartime hostilities.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been pushing for progress in the dispute over the islands, called the southern Kurils by Russia and the Northern Territories by Japan.

Read more: http://www.thepublicopinion.com/news/associated_press/russia-warns-japan-not-to-expect-quick-progress-on-islands/article_29f0c946-9add-58a6-af41-22bb5236508e.html

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Vladimir Putin sees an opportunity for world domination, with Trump by his side

So every step he takes from here on in needs to be viewed in that context.

Many of us warned about this, that were Trump somehow allowed into power, it would dramatically alter the power structure in a very bad way, and that is going to happen.

Interesting conundrum we face, do we worry about preventing our roads from being privatized? Medicare? Social Security? Or do we worry that the temps at the arctic are higher than ever and a world war seems likely?

I always think things happen for a reason, you know, but for the life of me I just cant figure this reason out.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I think everything that occurs regarding either Russia or

an action by Trump will need to be viewed with suspicion now. Welcome to DU.