I was told that [Japan journalists] wanted to see my dog, Yume. You can see that she is in great shape. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I assure you that interest in Japanese culture in Russia is just as strong as interest in Russian culture in Japan. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I have a huge interest in Japan, which is well known, including its history and culture, and so it will be very… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
The Prime Minister [Shinzō Abe] proposed advancing to a new level of economic engagement, putting forward eight lines of cooperation in the… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I would like to say, you know, that, unfortunately, we have many unresolved problems. But a great number of people in Russia… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
We believe we have no territorial problems at all. It is only Japan that believes it has territorial problems with Russia. We… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Japan has joined the sanctions against the Russian Federation. How are we going to further economic relations on a new and much… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
If we do it, if we work to achieve all this [cultural exchange with Japan], we can and should talk about joint… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
We do not trade territories although concluding a peace treaty with Japan is certainly a key issue and we would like to… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
At the request of my Japanese colleagues, in 2000 we revisited the possibility of signing a peace treaty based on the 1956 agreement. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
In 2000 the then Prime Minister of Japan [Yoshirō Mori] asked me to return to this process, this conversation, these talks, and… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I will not offer my thoughts on what Japan could and should have done, this is none of my business, it is… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Yet our interests, the interests of the Russian Federation, include the normalisation of relations with Japan, which is not at the bottom… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Of course, we will work towards that end. Of course, we will work to achieve this result. However, you have just mentioned… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
This is the large range of issues we have to discuss [with Shinzō Abe] and make a decision on each one of… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Back in 1956, we signed a treaty and surprisingly it was ratified both by the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union and… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I believe there are a lot of questions today that require expert analysis by various agencies: political agencies, foreign ministries, economic agencies… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Our agreements on creating the conditions for preparing a peace treaty [with Japan] should be rooted in this trust. This may be… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
There is progress in the sense that the Prime Minister [Shinzō Abe] has proposed, outlined, as it were, directions for movement toward… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
You recalled the 1956 declaration, and this declaration established the rules that should be followed by both sides and that should be… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
However, there is a fundamental difference between the issue related to Japan's history and our negotiations with China. What is it all… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I remember my very first encounter with Japan. At that time, I was Deputy Mayor of St Petersburg. Out of nowhere, Japan's… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
The Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] and I will negotiate proceeding from our national interests: the interests of Russia and the interests of… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
[Yasuhiro] Yamashita is a respected judo master not only in Japan but across the world. To me, he is an example of… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I would like to inform you with great satisfaction of a new step forward on establishing partnership between Russia and Japan — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
At the request of our Japanese partners, we have reopened these talks [about territories]. What command is given in this case in… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
However, the 1956 agreement refers to two islands while the Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] is talking about four islands. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
The Prime Minister [Shinzō Abe] also highlighted the need to address general humanitarian issues. We already mentioned one of these issues: visa-free… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
By the way, Japan is also known to be actively engaged in manned space flights as part of the International Space Station. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
The absence of a peace treaty [with Japan] is an anachronism we inherited from the past and it must be removed. However,… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
At some point a few years ago Japan unilaterally stopped those talks and broke off contacts with us. It was not we… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Next year [2017], we are going to hold a series of events there that we would like to call Russian Seasons [in… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
We were in negotiations, but then the Japanese side suspended them unilaterally. Now, at the request of our Japanese partners, we have… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
The last time I was in Japan as President of Russia was 11 years ago, if memory serves. I later visited in… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Therefore, I do not think we should go only 60 years back but should look deeper, centuries back. Maybe this will give… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
We are natural partners [with Japan] in the world and the Far East, but the absence of a peace treaty does not… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Japan announced that it would not comply with this declaration [ 1956]. Later on, the Soviet Union also declared that the declaration… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
There is always a chance [for negotiations with Japan], or else it makes no sense to talk. How great is it? Right… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
It has nothing to do with any kind of exchange or sale [of Kuril island to Japan]. It is about the search… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
We shall fight against them, throw them in prisons and destroy them. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Personally, I think that children should be left alone, they should be given an opportunity to grow up, to become aware of themselves and… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Yes, life in Chechnya so far looks more like a life after a natural disaster. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I'd rather not deal with such questions, because anyway it's like shearing a pig - lots of screams but little wool. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country. There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
We see Serbs as our spiritual brothers. And that is what is at the base of our relations today and in the future. — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
They [leaders in Western Europe] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Terrorism has once again shown it is prepared deliberately to stop at nothing in creating human victims. An end must be put to this.… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
Contractors always pursue large profit, the customer - a high-quality end product in due time and at a lower cost. This struggle never ends,… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that in Russia, unlike in one third of the world's countries, being gay is… — Vladimir Putin Copy Share Image
![“I was told that [Japan journalists] wanted to see my dog, Yume. You can see that she is in great shape.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/784/vladimir-putin-261_dog_i-was-told-that-japan-journalists-wanted_2122873.jpg)
![“We want full-scale normalisation of relations [with Japan].” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a24/vladimir-putin-261_japan_we-want-full-scale-normalisation-of-rela_1499883.jpg)
![“The Prime Minister [Shinzō Abe] proposed advancing to a new level of economic engagement, putting forward eight lines of cooperation in the most important and interesting areas both for Russia and for Japan.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1a8/vladimir-putin-261_abe_the-prime-minister-shinz-abe-proposed-ad_524424.jpg)
![“If we do it, if we work to achieve all this [cultural exchange with Japan], we can and should talk about joint efforts toward ensuring international security, and not only in the Far East.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/20f/vladimir-putin-261_achieve_if-we-do-it-if-we-work-to-achieve-all-th_860468.jpg)
![“In 2000 the then Prime Minister of Japan [Yoshirō Mori] asked me to return to this process, this conversation, these talks, and to do so, incidentally, on the basis of the 1956 declaration. I agreed. Since then we have conducted dialogue in this regard but I cannot say that our Japanese partners…” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d9/vladimir-putin-261_bases_in-2000-the-then-prime-minister-of-japan_1197377.jpg)
![“This is the large range of issues we have to discuss [with Shinzō Abe] and make a decision on each one of them. Look, after the resumption of the negotiating process in 2000, we did not refuse to consistently work toward signing this peace treaty.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3bd/vladimir-putin-261_abe_this-is-the-large-range-of-issues-we-hav_1547013.jpg)
![“Our agreements on creating the conditions for preparing a peace treaty [with Japan] should be rooted in this trust. This may be achieved, for example, by large-scale economic activities that will also cover the Kuril Islands. It may be achieved by solving purely humanitarian issues, for instance…” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73f/vladimir-putin-261_activity_our-agreements-on-creating-the-condition_149257.jpg)
![“There is progress in the sense that the Prime Minister [Shinzō Abe] has proposed, outlined, as it were, directions for movement toward a peace treaty and the resolution of issues related to territorial problems. Now, what did he propose? He proposed promoting an environment of trust and…” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f24/vladimir-putin-261_abe_there-is-progress-in-the-sense-that-the_85929.jpg)
![“The Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] and I will negotiate proceeding from our national interests: the interests of Russia and the interests of Japan. We should find a compromise.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b00/vladimir-putin-261_abe_the-prime-minister-shindzo-abe-and-i-wil_3145443.jpg)
![“[Yasuhiro] Yamashita is a respected judo master not only in Japan but across the world. To me, he is an example of an outstanding athlete and a very good man.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/vladimir-putin-261_athlete_yasuhiro-yamashita-is-a-respected-judo-m_160124.jpg)
![“At the request of our Japanese partners, we have reopened these talks [about territories]. What command is given in this case in judo? You probably know better than I do: Yoshi (continue). So we will continue.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cca/vladimir-putin-261_cases_at-the-request-of-our-japanese-partners_2787894.jpg)
![“However, the 1956 agreement refers to two islands while the Prime Minister [Shindzo Abe] is talking about four islands.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/80a/vladimir-putin-261_abe_however-the-1956-agreement-refers-to-two_987388.jpg)
![“The Prime Minister [Shinzō Abe] also highlighted the need to address general humanitarian issues. We already mentioned one of these issues: visa-free travel by Japanese citizens to the South Kuril Islands.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/991/vladimir-putin-261_abe_the-prime-minister-shinz-abe-also-highli_2373518.jpg)
![“The absence of a peace treaty [with Japan] is an anachronism we inherited from the past and it must be removed. However, how to do this is a complicated issue.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74b/vladimir-putin-261_absence_the-absence-of-a-peace-treaty-with-japan_2791393.jpg)
![“Next year [2017], we are going to hold a series of events there that we would like to call Russian Seasons [in Japan]. Over 40 different activities - and what is more, in different cities.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/021/vladimir-putin-261_activity_next-year-2017-we-are-going-to-hold-a-se_669118.jpg)
![“Therefore, I do not think we should go only 60 years back but should look deeper, centuries back. Maybe this will give us [Russia and Japan] an opportunity to look at the future from a more remote perspective.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/674/vladimir-putin-261_century_therefore-i-do-not-think-we-should-go-on_1399256.jpg)
![“We are natural partners [with Japan] in the world and the Far East, but the absence of a peace treaty does not allow us to develop the full range of our relations. Therefore, we will naturally strive to sign this treaty.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52d/vladimir-putin-261_absence_we-are-natural-partners-with-japan-in-th_2876625.jpg)
![“Japan announced that it would not comply with this declaration [ 1956]. Later on, the Soviet Union also declared that the declaration could not be fulfilled unilaterally, by the USSR alone.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/vladimir-putin-261_declaration_japan-announced-that-it-would-not-comply_1593885.jpg)
![“There is always a chance [for negotiations with Japan], or else it makes no sense to talk. How great is it? Right now, it is difficult for me to say, because this will depend, among other things, on the flexibility of our partners.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0bb/vladimir-putin-261_chance_there-is-always-a-chance-for-negotiation_562083.jpg)
![“It has nothing to do with any kind of exchange or sale [of Kuril island to Japan]. It is about the search for a solution when neither party would be at a disadvantage, when neither party would perceive itself as conquered or defeated.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9e5/vladimir-putin-261_defeated_it-has-nothing-to-do-with-any-kind-of-ex_2282648.jpg)
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
![“They [leaders in Western Europe] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our economy as well, maybe even more urgent bearing in mind the problem that we cannot yet deal with, namely the prevalence of the oil and gas…” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fab/vladimir-putin-261_change_they-leaders-in-western-europe-do-not-mi_43180.jpg)
