Russia said it is prepared to hold a foreign ministers meeting with Japan if the Japanese government expresses a desire for such talks [1].
This potential meeting represents a possible opening in diplomatic relations that have been frozen since the start of the invasion of Ukraine. A breakthrough could signal a shift in how Moscow manages its ties with Tokyo amid ongoing international sanctions.
LDP Senator Muneo Suzuki met with high-ranking officials at the Russian Foreign Ministry headquarters in Moscow on May 4, 2024 [1]. During these discussions, Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko said Russia is ready to conduct a meeting between foreign ministers if the Japanese side wishes [1].
Suzuki said that if Foreign Minister Motegi wishes to meet with Foreign Minister Lavrov, Russia would consider it [1]. The proposal suggests using the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Manila in July 2024 as a venue for the talks [2].
Diplomatic engagement at the ministerial level has been absent for several years. No foreign ministers meetings have been held between Japan and Russia since February 2022 [3].
Russia said it wants to improve bilateral relations by providing this opportunity for dialogue [1]. The proposal places the onus on Tokyo to initiate the request for the meeting, maintaining a position of readiness while awaiting a signal from the Japanese government [1].
“"Japan side, if they wish, we are prepared to hold a foreign ministers meeting."”
The offer suggests that Russia is seeking to diversify its diplomatic outreach or create a wedge in the unified Western response to the Ukraine conflict. By tying the meeting to a multilateral event like the ASEAN summit, Moscow provides a low-stakes environment for a first encounter, though the requirement for Japan to formally request the meeting ensures Russia maintains diplomatic leverage.
