Because of sanctions, Japan opposes Russia's withdrawal from post-World War II peace treaty talks.

Japan responded angrily on Tuesday after Russia withdrew from peace treaty discussions with Tokyo and halted cooperation economic projects relating to the disputed Kuril Islands as a result of Tokyo's sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Because of the standoff over islands immediately off Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, known in Russia as the Kurils and in Japan as the Northern Territories, Russia and Japan have yet to formally conclude World War II hostilities. At the end of World War II, the Soviets took the islands.

"Under the current circumstances, Russia does not intend to continue peace treaty negotiations with Japan," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement, blaming Japan's "openly hostile statements and attempts to harm our country's interests."

Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime minister, expressed his strong opposition to Russia's move, calling it "unfair" and "totally unacceptable."

"Russia's response to thrust this onto Japan-Russia relations is exceedingly unjust and utterly unacceptable," he said, adding that Japan's sentiments toward reaching a peace treaty had not changed and that it has protested Russia's move.
"Japan must continue to embargo Russia fiercely in collaboration with the rest of the world," he stressed.

Japan has submitted a protest with Russia's embassy in Tokyo, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.
Japan declared last week that it would rescind Russia's most-favored-nation trade status, broaden the scope of asset freezes against Russian elites, and ban the import of some products in reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Last week, when announcing the measures, Kishida stated that Japan would work with foreign relief organizations to supply food and medicine to Ukrainians. He also stated that Japan has begun receiving evacuees from Ukraine and requested public assistance.

Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that both Tokyo and Moscow want good relations and that it was insane that no peace treaty had been agreed upon.

According to the statement, Russia has also withdrawn from talks with Japan about cooperative commercial projects on the Kuril Islands and has terminated visa-free travel for Japanese people.