Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have held a 30-minute teleconference. The two discussed Putin's visit to Japan within the year, territorial disputes, as well as the Ukraine peace deal.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry said the two leaders have agreed to continue dialogue and to exchange opinions on Japan-Russia related issues. The talk between Abe and Putin was held after the Japanese PM pledged at a G7 summit to have his Russian counterpart visit Japan this year, in order to make progress on territorial disputes over Russian-administered islands off Japan's far north. Abe also urged Russia to play a constructive role in finding "peaceful and diplomatic solutions" to the crisis in Ukraine, after the EU agreed to prolong sanctions against Russia.