Putin says Japan must agree to Russia's terms for peace treaty

RIA Novosti ^ | 13/ 05/ 2009

[pobeda1945]

ULAN BATOR, May 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will only sign a formal peace treaty with Japan on terms that meet Moscow's interests, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

Russia and Japan have yet to sign a formal treaty ending World War II hostilities, due to their territorial dispute over the four South Kuril Islands, former Japanese territory annexed by the Soviet Union after the war.

"This [peace treaty] can only be done in a way that will meet the national interests of the Russian Federation," Putin told reporters.

He said the content of a peace treaty would be a focus of future bilateral negotiations.

The premier said on Tuesday that President Dmitry Medvedev would discuss territorial issues and a formal peace treaty with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso at the upcoming G8 summit in Italy.

Putin visited Tokyo on Tuesday to discuss the long-standing dispute, along with economic, energy and international issues.

[Centurion2000]

Looks like the Russian Bear sees Obambi asleep and is coming after Japan next.

[henkster]

I guess the war is still on. How’s it going?

[Gay State Conservative]

I wonder what the Georgians might have to say to the Japanese about the USSR’s “suggestion”.

[Gay State Conservative]

I guess the war is still on. How’s it going?

Well,the average Japanese household has about $5,000 worth of top quality electronic equipment.The average Soviet household has a goat in the front yard.I'd say Japan is winning...economically,at least.

[Red Steel]

Putin is mad because MacArthur didn’t give them a piece of Japan.

[Enigo54]

Ya know....in one way I have to admire him, he IS looking out for his own country. Sadly the same cant be said for our own dear leader.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

What is the old saying, Strike while the iron is hot, Well, Putin is making his moves on Japan to cut a good deal while they worry about Obama. If the North Koreans nuked Japan what would Obama do? Bring marshmallows to toast while Tokyo burns?
Go to the UN for more sanctions? Maybe an insane Russian Bear might make a better ally in the next few years. With Obama in the cockpit expect more Russian moves to enhance there power and cut America every chance they get. They are playing old Czarist 19th Century games and America get to play The British Empire in decline. I see war and rumors of war on the horizon.

[mick]

George Friedman over at STRATFOR predicts Japan will be one of the Great Military Powers of the 21st century. That it's Navy is already the second most powerful in the pacific ocean. And that is before they amend their constitution to allow for an offensive military.

So maybe Putin sees the future and wants to make a deal early.

[crz]

And Russia will get its ass kicked by Japan like they did a couple of times before WW2. That is, if they decide to push this line of crap.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Putin will agree to peace with the Japanese only when they agree to give up everything Russia demands in return for nothing.

[pobeda1945]

>And Russia will get its ass kicked by Japan like they did a couple of times before WW2

Khalkhin-Gol
Under the then unknown Georgy Zhukov, the Soviets won a crushing victory at the batte of Khalkhin-Gol (known in Japan as the Nomonhan Incident). Defeat persuaded the Japanese to expand into the Pacific, where they saw the United States as a weaker opponent than the Soviet Union. If the Japanese had not lost at Khalkhin Gol, they may never have attacked Pearl Harbor.

[crz]

Better go back prior to that chum. Prior the Russians got their heads handed to them.

So OK, the Russians stopped the Japanese in 1939. How about the turn of the 1900s and WW1? There was a couple of fights the Japanese destroyed the Russian army and naval forces.