Tokyo vain hopes that Moscow will make concessions in the settlement of the status of the Kuril Islands. This was stated by the «Russian news service,» the first deputy chairman of the Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Kalashnikov. «The chances of the Japanese even minimal opportunities for themselves limited due to the fact that they have now openly become the enemy, and even an enemy of Russia, joining the Western sanctions. If sanctions to some logic negotiating existed, but now it is not. The calculation of Japan that we make some concessions suddenly go on the Kuril Islands, is not justified», — said the deputy, informs «Pacific Russia».

According to him, before the Russian political elite were those who believed that part of the Kuril Islands may be returned to Japan in exchange for «some economic dividends». But now this concept is left supporters. «It’s hopeless», — concluded Kalashnikov.

Statement by the representative of the profile committee of the State Duma was a response to the statement of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who promised to conduct a «persistent negotiations» with Moscow on the return of the southern Kuril Islands.

The status of the Kuril Islands — the main irritant in relations between the two countries. By the end of World War II, the Kuril Islands were incorporated into the Soviet Union. Ownership of islands Etorofu, Shikotan and Habomai archipelago disputed by Japan. Because of this conflict between Moscow and Tokyo still has not signed a peace treaty, according to Lenta.ru.