Foreign affairs

Russia Ready to Restore Military Ties With Japan - Defense Minister

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday that Moscow is ready to restore military ties with Japan, underscoring the importance of ongoing talks in boosting military cooperation.

Shoigu is meeting Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, as part of "2+2" format consultations in Tokyo.

"I am convinced that today's meeting will contribute to strengthening friendly relations between the armed forces of the two countries and developing mutually beneficial military cooperation," Shoigu said.

"I would like to assure my Japanese colleagues of readiness for constructive work to restore military ties," the Russian defense minister said.