Russia rejects talks on Japanese fishing off the Kuril Islands
10:35 am | Russia rejects talks with Japan over fishing rights in waters around the disputed Kuril archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Moscow says Japan has taken “anti-Russian” measures. Since June last year, Japanese fishermen have been banned from fishing around the Kuril Islands.
Japan participates in Western sanctions against Russia due to the war in Ukraine. Tokyo further tightened sanctions on Friday over Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities.
“In the context of the Japanese government’s anti-Russian measures, Russia has informed Tokyo that there are no ongoing talks on this matter,” the Russian foreign ministry told state news agency RIA. According to Moscow, there can be an improvement in mutual relations only if Japan shows ‘respect’ for Russia.
There have been frequent tensions between Japan and Russia over the Kuril Islands. The Kuril Islands, north of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, were conquered by the then Soviet Union after World War II. Both Russia and Japan claim the fish-rich archipelago. The two countries therefore never signed a formal peace treaty after the war.
Ukraine imposes sanctions on 182 Russian and Belarusian companies
10:15 am | Ukraine has imposed sanctions on 182 Russian and Belarusian companies and three individuals. The sanctions are part of President Zelensky’s strategy to cut ties with Moscow and Minsk.
In a video message, Zelensky explains that the companies’ assets have been frozen and will be used for the defense of Ukraine.
These include transportation companies, leasing companies and chemical companies, according to the list shared by the Security Council of Ukraine.