Russia halts peace treaty talks with Japan over Ukraine sanctions

Then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Group of 20 major economies summit in Osaka in June 2019. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Russia's Foreign Ministry said Monday it has no intention of continuing peace treaty talks with Japan, an apparent reprisal against sanctions Tokyo has imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine invasion.

In response, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday that Russia's action was, "Absolutely unacceptable."