Meeting with Yoshiro Mori.

Vladimir Putin met with Former Japanese Prime Minister, President of the Organising Committee of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Yoshiro Mori.

Vladimir Putin with Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

Vladimir Putin invited Yoshiro Mori for an informal dinner to discuss the state of the two countries' relations and prospects for their further development.

After the meeting, Vladimir Putin accompanied Yoshiro Mori to the hotel where he spoke to members of the Japanese delegation and Yoko Fujimoto, Mr. Mori’s daughter.

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Vladimir Putin and Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

Informal dinner with Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

Russian President and Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

Vladimir Putin and Yoko Fujimoto, the daughter of Yoshiro Mori.

Vladimir Putin spoke to Yoko Fujimoto, the daughter of Yoshiro Mori.

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

Putin met with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.

Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg.

Vladimir Putin at a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Shinzo, first of all I would like to apologize that we kept you waiting – I had a very long conversation with the President of the United States. Many issues have piled up: Ukraine, Syria, other problems, some bilateral issues, and once again the fight against terrorism and security measures. So, speaking also on his behalf – you have our apologies.

I am very happy to see you. We will have another meeting in Vladivostok in the near future. I am very glad we have such an intensive dialogue. This will certainly promote the development of our bilateral relations and, I am hoping, will allows us to resolve our protracted problems.

In line with our agreement, quite recently a business delegation from Japan visited the Kuril Islands. We will follow the path set by our agreements.

I am glad to have this opportunity to meet again on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Meeting with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.

Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe (retranslated): Indeed, although I was looking forward to today’s meeting, I have said more than once that a meeting of the leaders of Russia and the United States is essential for settling global issues related to Ukraine, Syria, and North Korea, to name a few.

I welcome the top-level meeting between Russia and America and I am glad you had a fruitful dialogue at the meeting.

Our bilateral relations have been steadily developing in different areas since our meeting in the city of Nagato last December. I would like to use today’s meeting to give them additional impetus.

It is necessary to deepen trust between our two countries in order to sign a peace treaty. In this context, we are prepared to develop cooperation, that is, productive joint activities on the islands, greater freedom for former residents of the islands to visit graves of relatives. We want to promote trust between our two countries.

I believe the recent visit of our business delegation for joint economic activities on the islands was an important event.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Vladimir Putin with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Greetings to the 2017 festival of Russian culture in Japan.

Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to participants and guests of the 2017 Russian Seasons festival of Russian culture in Japan.

The message reads, in part:

“The festival is taking place in the hospitable country of Japan for the twelfth time. The Japanese public will enjoy meeting Russian actors, musicians, ballet stars, circus and folk groups. Different cities and prefectures will hold exhibitions by prominent Russian painters and sculptors, screenings of feature and documentary films.

This year’s festival is particularly special because the programme includes joint projects by Russian and Japanese artists, as well as shows by an entire constellation of young performers, for whom the debut on Japanese stages will become an important landmark in their careers.

I believe that such major and representative cultural events have great significance for the development of the Russian-Japanese relations and promote trust and understanding between our nations.”