🇷🇺 🤝 🇯🇵 Russia–Japan peace treaty: Hard nut to crack

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently indicated intent to sign a peace treaty with Russia. But why, 80 years after WWII, is the document yet to see the light of day?

🏔 Island row

👉 Issue concerns the southern Kuril Islands: Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai, which became part of Russia in 1946 following Japan’s surrender in WWII

👉 In the 1951 San Francisco Treaty, Japan renounced claims to the Kurils, but did not specifically address these four islands

👉 Russia considers its sovereignty over them final and non-negotiable

👉 Diplomatic relations were restored in 1956 via the Moscow Declaration, without an "official" end to WWII

👉 Then-USSR offered two islands (Habomai & Shikotan) in exchange for a peace treaty—but it never happened

👉 Despite Abe–Putin talks in 2016–2018, no breakthrough was achieved

Chill in ties

🔸 Bilateral ties sharply deteriorated after Japan joined the West’s anti-Russian sanctions following the start of Russia’s special military operation, which prompted it to withdraw from the peace treaty talks

🔸 Russia froze bilateral economic projects in the southern Kurils, also canceling visa-free travel for former residents of the islands

🔸 In 2022, then-Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, for the first time since the 2000s, publicly called Russia’s control of the Kurils “unlawful,” stressing Japan's non-recognition of the post-war status of some of these territories.

🔸 Also in 2022, Takaichi, then-head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan’s political council, claimed that Russia is “not a partner” for peace treaty negotiations and that continuing bilateral economic collaboration under the current conditions is impossible

🔸 “The path to resuming interstate dialogue” will only be possible if Japan abandons its hostile course, “seen as aligned with ‘Western solidarity’ over the situation in Ukraine,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko underscored when commenting on Takaichi’s push for a Russia–Japan peace treaty

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🚨🇷🇺🇺🇸Russia to continue dialogue with the US 'based on respect and realism'

📍 Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) chief and presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev said his visit to the US — long-planned despite recent hostile moves by Washington — includes a series of closed-door talks with several members Donald Trump’s government.

“We’re meeting with several representatives of the administration,” Dmitriev told reporters. “There will also be another meeting that, I believe, we’ll make public.”

🗣 “Most discussions will be behind closed doors — focused on continuing the dialogue with mutual respect and understanding of Russia’s position.”

Key statements by Dmitriev:

🟠 Russia–US dialogue is vital for global stability and must take into account Russia’s national interests

🟠 Russia will continue the dialogue, clearly conveying its position to the US side

🟠 Moscow warns the US not to turn into ‘Bidens’ and repeat the failed approaches of the previous administration

🟠 Attempts to prolong the Ukrainian conflict stem from the dire state of the British and European Union economies

🟠 Oil prices have already risen due to new sanctions on Russia — and will continue to rise

🟠 There have been many attempts by the EU and the UK to disrupt dialogue between Russia and the US

🟠 Sanctions will ultimately drive up fuel prices at gas stations across the United States

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🚨🇷🇺 The language of pressure doesn’t work with Russia, cooperation is only possible when our national interests are treated with respect — Russia’s Special Envoy Dmitriev on US sanctions.

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🇷🇺 Sanctions won’t affect Russia’s economy — but they’ll raise gas prices at US pumps, Russia’s Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev said.

Russia, he added, will keep conveying its position to Washington.

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🇷🇺Ukraine is stalling talks at the request of Britain and Europe, who want the conflict to drag on - Russia’s Special Envoy Dmitriev

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🇺🇸 Rubio: US expands Gaza cease-fire monitoring mission in Israel

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that more diplomats will join US military officers at a new coordination center in southern Israel, as the Trump White House increases pressure on Tel Aviv to uphold the fragile Gaza truce.

💬 “There’s going to be ups and downs and twists and turns, but I think we have a lot of reason for healthy optimism about the progress that’s being made,” Rubio said while visiting the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat.

The two-week-old cease-fire, brokered by US President Donald Trump’s government, halted Israel’s devastating campaign in Gaza and led to the release of 20 hostages by Hamas in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

👉US leaders, including Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff, visited the new center this week to underline Washington’s commitment to keeping the truce.

Rubio also confirmed that partner nations and NGOs will contribute to the center’s work and that the US may seek a UN mandate for an international peacekeeping mission in Gaza — but composed only of countries “Israel is comfortable with.”

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🛢 ❌ Oil sanctions on Russia signal how out of touch US is with reality

💬 “If you…restrict the supply of critical thinks such as energy and fuel into the US, the price is going to go up. It’s basic economics,” veteran political analyst Dr. Greg Simons told Sputnik, commenting on the situation on oil global energy markets after the US’s sanctioning of Russia’s biggest oil companies.

The US’s “obsession” with “economic warfare” and the idea that Russia could be strongarmed into submission don’t match up with reality, Simons said.

📍 “You have a certain sense of ideologically-driven policy and this messianism inside that, but absolute and utter ignorance concerning the predictable results and effects,” the Daffodil University journalism professor emphasized.

🇺🇸 “The US still seems to think and believe that they are this unchallenged, absolute hegemon that emerged in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union,” Simons noted. “This is no longer the case,” with the US in “serious trouble,” but unable to temper its ambitions based on its actual material capabilities.

👉 When it comes to trade and economic warfare, “the US needs Russia far more than Russia needs the US,” and if push comes to shove, Washington could be left without “critical supplies” it needs to keep its economy going, Simons stressed.

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🇷🇺🪖💪🏻Stealthy, precise and deadly: 75 years of Russia's Special Forces

🫡 These elite warriors have forged a legend of excellence.

📹 Watch Sputnik's video to discover how they earned their fearsome reputation.

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🔸 Oil sanctions on Russia signal how out of touch US is with reality

🔸 Russia to continue dialogue with the US 'based on respect and realism' - Special Envoy Dmitriev

🔸 Refinery blasts NATO's punishment of Hungary & Romania for ties with Russia

🔸 Russia–Japan peace treaty: Hard nut to crack

🔸 Only a strategic pact with Russia can bring peace to Ukraine — Ex-Pentagon advisor

🔸 Stealthy, precise and deadly: 75 years of Russia's Special Forces

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🚨🇺🇸🇨🇴 The US slaps sanctions on Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, his son, and interior minister — Treasury

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💬 Bessent vs Petro in sanctions standoff

US Treasury Secretary:

"Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production has exploded to record highs... President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation."

Colombian President Gustavo Petro fires back:

"Fighting drug trafficking for decades with effectiveness has led to this measure... Quite a paradox, but not a step back and never on our knees."

Petro confirms his wife and children have been added to the OFAC list.

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🇺🇸 🔥US sanctions on Russia backfiring on global markets

"The effect of sanctions against Russia’s two largest oil companies is already being felt — oil prices have risen by 5%," Lebanese energy analyst Mark Ayoub told Sputnik.

🔊 "This rise will put pressure on the US economy in the coming months, especially given existing problems like the government’s partial shutdown and rising inflation," he warned.

📍 Ayoub noted that sanctions take time to show results, but Russia has already adapted to Western restrictions.

He added that Asian markets are being hit hardest as Washington pressures them to stop buying Russian oil and switch to more expensive US energy supplies.

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🎤 US and Russia united by traditional values — Dmitriev

RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev states Moscow shares more common ground with Western conservatives than differences:

▫️ Agrees Trump is "savior of Western civilization"

▫️ Calls Biden's immigration/transgender policies "crazy"

▫️ Sees Europe's migration policy as "suicide of European civilization"

▫️ Says Obama's Russiagate created "fake narratives" about Russia

"I think we all care about our families. We all care about education of our children. We all care about having good economy, good growth, and we are much more similar," Dmitriev said.

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🗣 Giving Ukraine Tomahawks would close the door on peace - observer

👉 Tomahawk cruise missiles in Ukraine “would be a serious escalation on the part of the US and Western countries,” and a step that would “further confirm that the chances of a political settlement of this issue are very slim,” Lebanese international affairs observer Mahmoud Alloush told Sputnik, commenting on President Putin’s warnings about a “powerful” Russian response to the missiles’ potential deployment.

🇷🇺 President Trump likely “understands that Russia will not yield to military pressure,” and that it is “capable of resisting any Western pressure,” including sanctions, Alloush said.

🔥 The Ukrainian crisis is “not between Russia and Ukraine, but Russia and the West…Any solutions that do not address the underlying causes of the conflict will not lead to significant results. Russia is a superpower with great potential, having withstood the toughest economic blockade. Therefore, any new military or economic steps will not be able to put pressure on Putin,” Alloush emphasized.

🛢 As for Washington’s new US sanctions on Russian oil exporters, the observer stressed that even today, energy sector ties between Russia and Europe remain “significant,” and that therefore, “provoking” Moscow, on the eve of winter “at this time is both wrong and unwise.”

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🗣 Trump avoided World War III — Russian special envoy

Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) chief and presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev praised President Trump for de-escalation and understanding Russia’s position — achieving the first ceasefire on energy infrastructure.

Dmitriev added that sanctions won’t significantly hurt Russia’s economy and stressed the need for a diplomatic solution that accounts for Russian interests.

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🔊 Russia open to security guarantees for Ukraine — Dmitriev

Russia's presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev stated Russia is willing to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, with two key conditions: protection for Russian-speaking populations and Ukrainian neutrality.

"Not that many issues on the table — and by understanding how they can be resolved diplomatically, a solution can be found pretty shortly," he told Fox News.

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🔥 Europe is heading for economic disaster — Russian special envoy

Kirill Dmitriev warns Europe's accumulated policy mistakes are creating a perfect storm:

◼️ Energy crisis: Rejected Russian supplies, now deindustrializing

◼️ Immigration: Politicians afraid to acknowledge failures

◼️ Growth: Russia at 4% vs EU under 1%

"Orban is a voice of reason... Politicians are afraid to acknowledge mistakes. And those mistakes accumulate"

Dmitriev predicts the situation will "evolve in the worst possible way" over next 5-7 years unless Europe changes course.

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🔊 France will send Mirage jets to Ukraine 'in days to come' — Macron

He said the new military aid package will also include Aster missiles and training programs.

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🔊 Petro responds to US sanctions: 'Never given in to mafia proposals'

Colombian President Gustavo Petro defiantly responded to being placed on the US OFAC sanctions list, asserting he has never accepted mafia offers and maintains no financial interests in the United States.

"I have no accounts to freeze nor economic interests outside the country. My commitment is to the Colombian people."

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