Russia has suspended a cooperation agreement with Japan on nuclear disarmament, a move Tokyo described as regrettable.
"Termination of the agreement between the government of the Russian Federation and the government of Japan on Cooperation in Assistance in the Destruction of Russian Nuclear Weapons and the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation for this Purpose, signed in Tokyo on October 13, 1993," TASS quoted the decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishutin, published on the Russian government portal on the evening of November 9.
The decree did not give any reasons for Russia's decision. The Russian Foreign Ministry was instructed to inform the Japanese side about the move.
"We feel regretful about Russia's decision, which was made unilaterally without informing Japan," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference today. "We plan to confirm the specific information through diplomatic channels."
The Russian Foreign Ministry building in Moscow in April 2021. Photo: Xinhua
Under the 1993 agreement, Japan will assist Russia in safely dismantling nuclear weapons that Moscow needs to reduce through bilateral, multilateral or self-determined treaties. A special committee was set up to identify priority areas for cooperation, information exchange and research results.
Tokyo has helped Russia dismantle several nuclear submarines under the deal. However, Japanese media reported that cooperation was suspended when Moscow stopped providing Tokyo with the necessary data.
Russia-Japan relations have deteriorated significantly since Moscow launched its campaign in Ukraine in February 2022. Japan has imposed a series of sanctions on Russia in response to this move.
Nhu Tam (According to TASS, Reuters )
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