Russia, Japan to step up peace treaty efforts
Putin and Abe direct diplomats to intensify treaty efforts to end WW11 hostilities.
MOSCOW (AP) - The leaders of Russia and Japan are telling their diplomats to intensify efforts to work out a peace treaty between the two countries.
Russia and Japan have yet to sign a peace treaty formally ending hostilities from World War II due to a dispute over four islands that were captured by Soviet forces at the end of the war. Nevertheless, they have pursued economic ties.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Monday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and said they have instructed their foreign ministries to "intensify contacts for devising a mutually acceptable way of settling the problem."
There was no indication of possible compromise points. In 2011, Russia vowed to deploy military hardware to the islands.
